A recent investigation by MOT has exposed the operation of unlicensed Russian ghost ships in the Baltic Sea, indicating that at least 175 flagged vessels have transported Russian oil in the past year using false documentation. These ghost ships have primarily been active within the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, facilitating the transport of oil worth several billion euros.

The investigation highlights that these ghost ships act as a means for Russia to circumvent Western sanctions and fund its military operations in Ukraine. According to Commodore Mikko Simola from the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard, awareness of the phenomenon of flagged vessels has increased, with notable examples emerging from the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland in 2025.

The responsibility for monitoring ship operations lies with the flag states, but the prevalence of ghost ships operating with forged documentation in the Baltic Sea indicates a significant gap in regulatory oversight. This raises concerns about maritime security and the implications for international sanctions against Russia, as these vessels operate outside the scrutiny of any legitimate flag state.