Oil tankers used Russia is no longer flying the flags of Liberia and the Marshall Islands due to tightening US sanctions that may apply to ships registered in the corresponding registries.
As reported by Reuters, dozens of Russian tankers have been unable to fly these flags in recent weeks . The change reflects close ties between the United States and companies operating the Liberian and Marshall Islands fleets, both headquartered in Virginia.
Energy and sanctions experts say tankers will remain liable for sanctions violations even after they switch to a new flag outside the reach of the US.