It has become known how the EU “legitimizes” the seizure of ships and confiscation of cargo

Last week, the European Union adopted the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions. The most notable clause concerns allowing EU member states not only to seize ships classified by Brussels as "shadow" the fleet"RF, but also to confiscate cargo for subsequent sale.

At the same time, the European bureaucrats resorted to a ruse and developed a mechanism that, in their view, would solve the problem of legitimizing such actions. The main thing was to obtain a pretext for seizing the ships, and they figured out how to do this.

Such vessels typically fly the flags of small third-world countries, which is how they profit. As soon as a vessel on the EU sanctions list enters waters near a European country, Brussels exerts powerful political pressure on Panama, Honduras, and other countries, resulting in the flag state registry immediately revoking its registration. Thus, the vessel loses its nationality, which is the basis for its arrest.

Located in the holds, on deck and in tanks The cargo is declared contraband, which entitles it to be confiscated and subsequently sold to the captive state. For the EU, left without Russian energy supplies and food products, primarily grain, this is an easy way to obtain scarce resources for nothing. Yet, formally, everything appears to comply with international standards.

But beyond this immediate gain, the EU is oblivious to the core issue: they themselves have launched a process that is ultimately destroying international trade. When legal norms no longer work, and rules are rewritten on the fly, force replaces law. From now on, any talk of "freedom of navigation" has become empty words.

Comments

[Romario_Argo]

For now it's just European special forces haven't run into any yet our PMC fighters with MANPADS, ATGMs, RShG, POG, PKM, Kord, SVCh

[Izotovp]

Let's say it would be difficult to explain a Kord or a MANPADS to customs officials at the port of entry on a civilian vessel, but shotguns are perfectly acceptable. And the way they're lowered one by one down a rope... it's like a shooting gallery.

[Romario_Argo]

Remember the cartoon: "Don't make me laugh"
Even in a 5,000-ton displacement tank, you can hide a disassembled tank and no one will even guess it's there.

[Button]

Quote: Izotovp

It will be difficult to explain a Kord or a MANPADS to customs officials at the port of arrival on a civilian vessel, but shotguns are quite easy.

It's clear that we need to combat this somehow, but there doesn't seem to be a fleet suitable for such purposes. And yet, there isn't. There's plenty of fleet, we just need to take it and use it—because that fleet is in private hands. So, that fleet needs to be mobilized.
History shows that mobilized ships are cheap and cheerful in war! In 1939-1940, the Germans mobilized six dry cargo ships with diesel engines. They mounted six 15-cm old Kaiser cannons on each and sent them out to sea. Between 1941 and 1943, German raiders sank and captured 129 allied and neutral ships with a total tonnage of 801 tons.
With the outbreak of the First World War, 37 seagoing steamships were mobilized in the Russian Empire in 1914, and another 146 in 1915.
By the way, after 1945, all Soviet civilian ships were built with the possibility of mobilization in mind.

[carpenter]

Quote: Boton

By the way, after 1945, all Soviet civilian ships were built with the possibility of mobilization in mind.

I have one question for you: "Are there many Russian ships currently sailing under the Russian flag?"

[Button]

Quote: carpenter

How many Russian ships are currently sailing under the Russian flag?

The flag is almost irrelevant. Pirate activities by NATO countries and Kyiv target not only Russian vessels but also those of neutral countries carrying Russian cargo. And mobilizing a vessel changes its status. The main means of protecting such vessels is the St. Andrew's flag. The sinking of a Russian warship is already a casus belli.
And they are needed to solve two problems:
Convoy of merchant ships in the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas and
counter-drone operations and strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces ports on the Black Sea.
By the way, there are 4,357 sea vessels and 21873 river vessels in the Russian Federation.

[hector]

Quote: Boton

The sinking of a Russian military ship is already a casus belli.

We have already collected so many of these incidents that no one is afraid of them.

[Nemchinov Vl]

Quote: Boton

By the way, in the Russian Federation 4,357 sea vessels и

And how many combat naval ships are there to escort them?!

Quote: Boton

The flag has almost no meaning

Unfortunately, it does.

Quote: Boton

Escorting merchant ships in the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas and
fight against drones

and how are we supposed to escort them when instead of combat NKs in our Navy, only - fleet development programs, and even their execution is in the hands of the OSK, where the likes of Rakhmanov, Bursuk, and others like them rule the roost...?!
Who, by the way, mind you, are not on trial or arrested!! Apparently, they are less dangerous and destructive to the state than Ivan Popov, Strelkov, and their ilk...??!

I don’t know about you, but this makes me think about who, how and in whose interests controls state policy...?!

[Button]

Quote: Vl Nemchinov

And how many combat naval ships are there to escort them?!

The comments above were about the fact that

There's plenty of fleet, we just need to take it and put it to use—because this fleet is in private hands. So, this fleet needs to be mobilized.
History shows that mobilized ships are cheap and cheerful in war! In 1939-1940, the Germans mobilized six dry cargo ships with diesel engines. They mounted six 15-cm old Kaiser cannons on each and sent them out to sea. Between 1941 and 1943, German raiders sank and captured 129 allied and neutral ships with a total tonnage of 801 tons.

And more:

Mobilizing a vessel changes its status. The primary means of defense for such vessels is the St. Andrew's flag. The sinking of a Russian military vessel is already a casus belli.
And they are needed to solve two problems:
Convoy of merchant ships in the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas and
counter-drone operations and strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces ports on the Black Sea.

[isv000]

Quote: Izotovp

Let's say it will be difficult to explain the Kord or MANPADS on a civilian vessel to customs officers at the port of arrival,

No one has cancelled bunkering at sea. It's time to register these ships as auxiliary vessels of the Russian Navy, and there won't be any need for explanations. Just take down the pirates and be done with it.

[Normann]

Yeah, but in the territorial waters they are the so-called friendly countries will not be able to enter.

[isv000]

Quote: Normann

Yeah, but in the territorial waters they are the so-called friendly countries will not be able to enter.

And the so-called "friendly" countries should be put on starvation rations. It's not right for them to consume barbaric hydrocarbons; it's beneath them.

[Normann]

Of course, just like at the beginning of the SVO, there was no need to supply hydrocarbons, but they don't care who was responsible for disrupting the gas flow? The answer is no one.

[tihonmarine]

Quote: Normann

Yeah, but they won't be able to enter the territorial waters of so-called friendly countries.

Fishermen have the most extensive experience in the world when it comes to bunkering on the high seas. We (and I mean all the time, all the vessels) have bunkered from tankers on the high seas (where the fishing takes place), not in territorial waters. So we have experience.

[carpenter]

Quote: isv000

It's time to register the ships as auxiliary fleet of the Russian Navy and there will be no need to explain anything.

The majority of Russia's transport fleet operates under foreign flags and carries cargo for foreign charterers. Russian vessels under foreign flags account for over 60% of the deadweight.
To be more precise, Russia is the beneficiary of a transport fleet (including tankers) consisting of approximately 1800 vessels, of which approximately 379 sail under the Russian flag.

[K9_SWAT]

Why bother explaining anything to anyone? Customs officers in the destination country won't even notice!

[ABC-schutze]

Well, I don't see any particular "difficulties" at the port of arrival (which, strictly speaking, is the foreign or Russian recipient of the cargo interested in its delivery). The vessel owner (or the captain himself, hiring the crew for the voyage) could very well enter into a perfectly legal contract with the same PMC for protection against piracy and escort of the vessel. And this contract could very well, as an appendix, list the weapons and military equipment used by the PMC to fulfill its obligations under the LEGAL contract with the vessel owner. And there are no "prohibitions" under international maritime law for legitimate vessel owners entering into such contracts with PMCs. Everything is within their "right"...

The state flag flying over a vessel indicates that the vessel is state territory. Right? Right...

And if a PMC, with its weapons and military equipment, can LEGALLY operate under an agreement with the government of a country on the territory of the state itself, then why can't it, with the same equipment, LEGALLY be on board a ship sailing under the state flag?.. Right?.. Right...

By the way, this agreement, at the port of arrival, will be as legal for customs as the cargo documents...

[salawat1980]

Simply flush the boarding party overboard with a fire hose. Silently. No preamble. And, of course, support with any warship!

[Normann]

We have tons of these ships, don't we?

[tihonmarine]

Quote: Normann

We have tons of these ships, don't we?

Ships or civilian vessels?

[Normann]

Precisely military ships.

[Romario_Argo]

вообще то достаточно даже катаров они у ВМФ зубастые очень
малый ракетный катер несет загоризонтную РЛС Монолит с дальностью 700 км
и 1400 км в пассивном режиме
те же катера пр.12 41 Молния несет по 4 ПКР Москит с дальностью 200 км
даже АК-176 еще тот Весомый аргумент против морских Евро-полицаев
хотя даже обычный ПКМ на борту танкера может сорвать высадку евро-Спн с вертолета или катера

[Normann]

Все-то оно так, только вот Вы позабыли о дальности.

[tihonmarine]

Quote: salawat1980

Just wash the boarding crew overboard with a fire hose.

If you manage to wash it off, the "shaitan pipe" will fly through the wheelhouse first (we dealt with pirates back in the Soviet Union and after).

[Dedok]

It's just that European special forces haven't yet encountered our PMC fighters with MANPADS, ATGMs, RShGs, POGs, PKMs, Kords, and SVChs.

They've already responded that we won't arm them...
there will be naval escort

[Izotovp]

Escort is a very convenient way to accomplish many other tasks along the way. But there might not be enough escorts for everyone. That's if you're talking frigates or destroyers. But if you're talking about cheaper ones, like small missile ships...
Although this won't interfere with the team's use of shotguns).

[Romario_Argo]

мало ли что ответили, будут сопровождать и кораблями и ЧВК
как вариант у КНР в ЧВК 4 млн бойцов

[APASUS]

Oil must be sold at the port. Then it becomes Indian, Panamanian, or Honduran. They're heroes in the EU, but in an Indian court, you'll have a hard time proving it's contraband.

[isv000]

Quote: APASUS

In the EU they are heroes, but in an Indian court you will have a hard time proving that it is contraband.

In an Indian court, the plaintiff will rot in his chair until everyone there takes turns saying Hare Krishna and dancing disco...

[Normann]

How could we not make a new episode of our favorite movie?

[bayard]

Quote: APASUS

Oil must be sold at the port.

That's possible, but it doesn't prevent such vessels from being seized, meaning customers will be afraid to ship them to us. Another method is to register such vessels in a Russian port during loading, raise the Russian flag, deploy armed guards, and provide escort/back-up by Russian Navy ships in the most dangerous parts of the route around Europe. This will be safer for the shipowner, and Russia will receive tax revenue and have the means to pay for the security of our trade traffic. It's time to act like a serious sovereign power.
And build a fleet!
We still can't afford it ourselves – ordering a series of frigates from China with hulls and our retrofitting at the Amur Shipyard in Vladivostok. That was the plan 10-12 years ago. Back then, China was shrinking, but times have changed. Their frigates are very inexpensive, but they've been produced in large numbers. Retrofitting them with our weapons systems, air defense systems, communications, and command and control systems – and you've got ships for escort services.
The export price of the Chinese Type 54A frigate is less than $200 million with all weapons systems. If you take only the hull (without weapons, fire control systems and communications), it will be no more than $100 million. The Type 54B is more expensive, but it is larger, more autonomous and overall more interesting. If, in order to speed up and reduce the cost of such escort ships, we simplify the air defense, installing, say, only the Pantsyr-ME, it will be very inexpensive for us. And we do need escorts. Lots of them, inexpensive, but toothy, seaworthy, autonomous. Even the US is building their own now. So we obviously need them too. If we come to an agreement with China and order a large batch, the issue will be resolved quickly. For us, they can generally cost as much as the Karakurt, but at the same time - ships of the DMZ for escort.

[Severe_gopher]

Taking metal (hulls) from Chinese ships is an interesting idea, of course...
Will the fire control system be of our own domestic development?
Are we going to buy those notorious chips from the Chinese? But at exorbitant prices.
Or is there an option - to pull them out of washing machines, as in the famous joke?
But the washing machines are also Chinese...

[bayard]

Do you extract chips from washing machines?
Of course, I've heard a lot, and quite a lot. You be careful with them.

Quote: Harsh_gopher

Will the fire control system be of our own domestic development?

The fire control system will be from the Project 22350 frigate or the 20380/20385 corvette, depending on the air defense system chosen for the ship. We have domestically produced chips and other components. There are problems with the propulsion systems for ships, so buying ready-made hulls from China and installing our own weapons is rational, fast, and inexpensive. Standard VI 4000-4500-ton escort ships can also be equipped with the Pantsir-ME (two modules, the second lightweight one without guns), which will significantly reduce the cost of the project. And the strike weapons can be standard. And they can be baked like hotcakes.

Quote: Harsh_gopher

Are we going to buy chips from the same Chinese?

So you buy them from the Chinese. But they're already starting to impose sanctions against Europe. So Taiwan is the only option left for you.

Quote: Harsh_gopher

Severe_gopher

[Nemchinov Vl]

Greetings dear Vitaly!

Quote: bayard

It's time to act like a serious sovereign power.
And build a fleet!

On this topic, Andrey Kolobov once wrote a whole series I remember writing about -"... a sad look into the future", more than ten years ago. and unfortunately, most of the "his anxieties", it was justified (!).

Quote: bayard

We still can’t order a series of frigates from China ourselves.

Is it worth it?! Are you sure that their diesel power plant doesn't require capital in just 3-4 years? Only if it's not a problem for them (everything is YOURS and nearby), then how will such a frigate feel in terms of service as part of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy...?!

Quote: bayard

The export price of the Chinese Type 54A frigate is less than $200 million with all weapons systems.

Maybe it's better to have your own escort create?! let's say based on the "Thunder" project 12441 (or its hybrid from project 11356 R/M and 11664 "Cheetah)

Again... if the country wanted to development of the Navy, then they would have started with creation long ago center for marine gas turbine engine and gearbox manufacturing, for the rapid creation and construction of ship power plants (like Nikolaev's "Zorya-Mashproekt" once did"!), but we see that no one in the country needs this!!

And here it is, -

Quote: Harsh_gopher

Take metal (hulls) of Chinese ships

, where the reliability of the power plant will be their Achilles heel, because our Navy is not on the shores of the South China Sea, and their factories (repair and maintenance workshops) !!, seems doubtful to me.

And the thesis about sovereignty of the state, with the fleet dependent on foreign spare parts, it seems strange to me...

But the main thing is that at the top, as they say - "don't want"

[bayard]

Quote: Vl Nemchinov

"don't want"

Well, in this regard, I am definitely not their doctor, I offer solutions, and fast ones at that.
On the one hand, there's no confidence in their reliability, but on the other hand, they already have over thirty such frigates in service. They have the same diesel engines (licensed French ones) on their Type 071 (also four of each), of which there are another 10. As you can see, the fleet of ships with such a propulsion system is quite large, and there's been time to refine the technology and achieve reliability. I just pointed this out - frigates are being/were being built in a very large series + 10 Type 071s. I specifically emphasized this. And it would be a good idea to send a delegation to the fleet to see how they operate; it wouldn't take much time - a few teams of specialists for several ships. And you could also ask the packs how they're doing, after all, it's been so long since they bought four of them.
We need an escort ship, and not for the Northern Fleet, or even the Pacific Fleet. We need to keep pirates out of our traffic routes at key points while on patrol. Specifically, escort ships, but ones that are seaworthy enough (not corvettes). Powerful and expensive air defense isn't necessary; a Pantsir-ME will suffice, but two modules are possible, the second being a stripped-down one without guns. Or both without guns, with Duet-class anti-aircraft missiles on the sides. But the strike one - two or three UKSK (where the 054A has 48 Shtil cells) and a pair of quadruple Kh-35 launchers. That's something no one should even think about. And a helicopter. The sonar system is from Project 20380. A ready-made one like that would cost us the same $200-250 million, if we put it into production. And they will serve in the Baltic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Red Sea. It's either warm there or not too cold. They will be based/replenished at bases in Syria, Libya (God knows what's in the Red Sea, but they were planning to) and Algeria (meaning replenish, refuel and, if necessary, dry dock; we can negotiate, they have bought and continue to buy a lot of aircraft and other weapons from us).
These are the purposes and duty stations/areas we need them for. Fast, inexpensive, and in quantity (I think 12 might be enough). This isn't a multirole ship (although it could be, in principle), but an escort for protecting maritime trade. But it has decent strike weapons. Short-range air defense (up to 32-40 km). Well, the new American frigates have even less, with the "Ramka" costing every penny.
I don't think they would have built such a huge series if the power plant was so problematic. And since at least 12 units are needed, the contract could include service maintenance and on-site repair crews as needed. These are just details. We'll figure it out ourselves—we'll fix it ourselves.
But the main problem is the government's vague "will." It doesn't even know what it wants. Like a "headless horseman." And that's the problem. Patrushev was put in charge of shipbuilding and... where, what, what? Where's the Russian-made D-500 diesel engine (10,000 hp)? Where are the domestic propulsion plants for the 22350 frigates? Where the heck are the two large landing ships endlessly being built at Yantar?
Is there a war going on?
That's just the way it should be for her.

[Seaflanker]

Chinese marine diesel engines have never had a reputation for unreliability—do you seem to automatically transfer your ridicule of Chinese aircraft engines to the navy? Even in aircraft engines, China is gradually overtaking Russia here: the WS-15 and the "Product 30" have roughly comparable characteristics, but the WS-15 has already entered production, while the "Product 30" is still only in "small-scale trial production."

[Seaflanker]

Let me correct you: China sold Project 054AP frigates to Pakistan for $350 million per unit. However, if only the hull and propulsion system are purchased, without the weapons systems, the cost can drop below $100 million. This is exactly what Thailand did when it purchased a Chinese Project 071E 25,000-ton landing dock ship for $130 million per ship: they bought only the hull, propulsion system, and basic navigational electronics. Incidentally, China has transferred all 20 Project 056 corvettes originally built to its coast guard. Perhaps Russia should also consider purchasing these light corvettes—they would be even cheaper.

[bayard]

Quote: Seaflanker

China sold Project 054AP frigates to Pakistan at a price of $350 million per unit.

This is obviously the full contract price, including the primary and secondary armaments, consumables, spare parts, simulators, and training for Pakistani specialists. The cost of the ship itself (without armament, but fully assembled from the factory) is just under 200 million. I can't recall the exact figure right now, but something in the region of $189 million. We're interested in the hull with the propulsion plant and general shipboard systems.

Quote: Seaflanker

If only the hull and power plant are purchased without the weapons systems, the cost could drop below $100 million.

I also assumed that with this configuration, it would cost no more than 100 million. We have our own air defense systems, communications, weapons systems, electronic warfare, fire control systems, and other avionics, so we can easily provide the combat and hardware capabilities. I think it would be worth considering (again) this option: building the hulls in China, shipping them to Vladivostok, and finishing them there according to our own design as inexpensive, yet seaworthy and toothy escort ships. We need 12 to 24 of these, and quickly. This project could be a good example of cooperation with China and would benefit both sides.

[tihonmarine]

Quote: APASUS

Oil must be sold at the port.

Well, that's how it's always done.

[credo]

Last week, the European Union adopted the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions. The most notable provision concerns permission for EU member states not only to seize vessels designated by Brussels as part of Russia's "shadow fleet" but also to confiscate their cargo for subsequent sale...

Following this "innovation," Somali pirates and Yemeni Houthis will adopt similar regulations, and the seizure of any vessel will miraculously be classified not under criminal law, but under civil law as ownerless property, which will become state property without any costs.
European thieves seem to have opened Pandora's box.

[Mouse]

Somali pirates and Yemeni Houthis....
turn pale....

[isv000]

Quote: Mouse

Somali pirates and Yemeni Houthis....
turn pale....

Here, by the way, is the solution to the problem: we need to recruit Somali pirates into the PMC. These punks don't have gloves or felt-tip pens, and they won't blink an eye when they shoot a helicopter in the side with a MANPADS.

[Normann]

But in this scenario, the ships will simply be sunk, although it won't work with tankers, but with the rest, it will work, and they won't give a damn about international law, which has already been proven countless times.

[isv000]

Quote: Normann

But in this scenario, the ships will simply be sunk, although it won't work with tankers, but with the rest, it will work, and they won't give a damn about international law, which has already been proven countless times.

Kindergarten pants with suspenders. The flag should be the national one, not the Limpopo one. After all, no one has cancelled the escort escort, nor the exercises in international waters with missile and artillery firings, as a precaution.

[Normann]

Well, well, we apparently have a huge fleet. Can you imagine how many ships are currently at sea that are tied to the Russian Federation?

[tihonmarine]

Quote: Normann

Can you imagine how many ships are currently at sea that are linked to the Russian Federation?

There are about 1800 seagoing vessels, while only about 380 are under the Russian flag. But even this number is beyond the Navy's capabilities.

[isv000]

Quote: tihonmarine

There are about 1800 seagoing vessels, while only about 380 are under the Russian flag. But even this number is beyond the Navy's capabilities.

If a ship flying the Russian flag makes a splash, it won't just be the Navy that'll be coming for it. If the splash is global, the triad will have a say. They'll be afraid to sink the ships of "nuclear-wielding barbarians"...

[Nemchinov Vl]

Quote: isv000

Quote: tihonmarine

There are about 1800 seagoing vessels, while only about 380 are under the Russian flag. But even this number is beyond the Navy's capabilities.

If a ship flying the Russian flag makes a splash, it won't just be the Navy that's coming, but if the splash is global, the triad will have its say. They'll be afraid to sink the ships of "barbarians with nuclear weapons"...

While the person at the helm is the one who has already reached an agreement, in a similar case with the Kursk, this is unfortunately not a fact (!).

[tihonmarine]

Quote: isv000

Here, by the way, is the solution to the problem: we need to recruit Somali pirates into the PMC

Better than Nigerian pirates, they are more cruel and leave no one alive.

[Mouse]

Sorry, they cleaned me up...

[Uncle lee]

and confiscate the cargo for subsequent sale.

Piracy is in their blood! And pirates were hanged from the yards...

[tihonmarine]

Quote from Uncle Lee

And the pirates were hanged from the yards.

They also dragged them under the keel, and the particularly zealous ones were tied by their hands and feet to a cross and thrown overboard.

[Russ]

Such. Pain, such pain.... They're taking away the bread......

[cpls22]

Brussels exerts powerful political pressure on Panama, Honduras, etc., resulting in the flag state registry immediately revoking its registration.

I wonder what political levers of influence the EU has on Panama, Honduras, etc.?
Maybe they just buy the relevant structures that are responsible for issuing registration?
This threatens a loss of trust in such structures and a transition to other registrars.
There are still many dwarf states that want to make money.

[Staal]

I think ship owners won't wait, but will flee from these registrations to more convenient and safe ones, for example, to Mongolia)

[Normann]

The Republic of Belarus has a very large fleet, it even has a port.

[isv000]

Quote: Normann

The Republic of Belarus has a very large fleet, it even has a port.

The Belarusian Sea has always been the largest source of seafood for the Rostov mountain settlements. Psaka won't let me lie.

[cpls22]

I don't know if landlocked countries have the right to issue registration, but they will definitely run away.

[isv000]

Quote from cpls22

I don't know if landlocked countries have the right to issue registration, but they will definitely run away.

The Mongols have a lake, a large one, and they've established several vessels there and called them a fleet! The maritime register is aware of the Mongolian maritime flag, and there are quite a few ocean-going vessels sailing under it...

[Nemchinov Vl]

Quote from cpls22

Interesting as well What are the political levers of influence? Does the EU have anything to do with Panama, Honduras, etc.?
Maybe they just buy the corresponding structures.

Well, for example, they will deprive them of IMF loans, and so on (economically), in case of demarches and disagreement with "EU party policy"At the same time, the US will strangle them with sanctions and tariffs (!). And Panama or Honduras won't utter a word, but will remain silent. "will stand in the stall".

[cpls22]

These ones are more likely to be US-aligned. However, the latter is currently battling with China over Panama. Things are murky.

[Mouse]

Are you completely hungry? ...... Yeah, damn it....there was a short comment....

[tralflot1832]

I don't know how this will work. The English "prisoner" is still in cargo, but it seems to be under the Cameroon flag.

[Romario_Argo]

as a possible option
If they are in danger of being captured, they will change the registration data to some Russian Navy support ship. If that doesn't help, then the PMC escort group will mow down the helicopters and boats with MANPADS and ATGMs, and the European Special Forces landing force itself will be chopped into a vinaigrette with machine guns.

[Saburov_Alexander53]

From now on, any talk of “freedom of navigation” became empty words.

Do we have enough imagination to come up with a response, or will we simply acknowledge the lawlessness, leaving such daredevils alone to face the EU?
They're already writing and showing how our frigate escorts individual ships back and forth in the English Channel. But beyond the English Channel, they're easily caught by the gills, and there aren't enough frigates for every ship. That's when helicopter carriers and an aircraft carrier would come in handy, chasing away those insolent Europeans.
Or if it's so simple and on the fly, it's possible to change the register and flag of a cargo ship by radio, then it turns out we have no response, even if we immediately call it Russian and raise our flag before it's captured?
Who then retains the formal right to recognize the new registry? No matter how much one reads the MMP rules, one always has questions about the specifics. Hmm, really...

[Normann]

We don't have an aircraft carrier, nor are we authorized to escort one. A helicopter carrier is a floating iron that can't defend itself and is only needed for ground operations, which is absolutely of no use to us. Plus, the backers will hit it and then blame it on someone else. It was a mistake, not us. But we are concerned. How could they sink the Black Sea Fleet flagship? That's the answer.

[Saburov_Alexander53]

They might as well sink the frigate currently patrolling the English Channel... I understand the difference between an attack on a helicopter carrier somewhere far from the Black Sea and a strike on the cruiser Moskva from shore-based complexes... It would practically start a world war and it won't be possible to blame it on a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle off the coast of England... Although, the first time, I don't rule out the possibility that we'll swallow that too.
But against a UAV, a helicopter carrier can mount any weapon, even in greater numbers, than a frigate. Plus, the helicopters themselves are the best counter-attack weapon. And the engagement radius and response speed are much better than those of a single frigate. That's what I'm talking about...

[tralflot1832]

Money in the morning, oil in the evening. Can it be the other way around? Yes, but the money upfront. EU officials will be scratching their heads again.

[Normann]

five will scratch their heads

They have masters, but they don't care about the problems of the Indians.

[carpenter]

Quote: tralflot1832

Money in the morning, oil in the evening. Can it be the other way around? Yes, but the money first.

And the cargo is already someone else's; it was purchased by someone else; it's no longer Russian, and the steamship isn't Russian either, and the freight isn't Russian either. It's these non-Russians you'll have to deal with, gentlemen. But God forbid the cargo is purchased by an American—that's no longer a headache. The headache is when the cargo is purchased by someone from the EU. Especially since, according to estimates for 2025, approximately 11–12 vessels sail under "flags of convenience" under the flags of EU countries, which are effectively controlled by European (that is, EU) shipowners. But there's another point: European companies often transfer their ships to open (international) registries of other countries—Panama, Liberia, the Marshall Islands, Malta, the Bahamas, and so on. Legally, the vessel is "not from the EU," although in fact, it's owned by a European company.
For context, in the first quarter of 2025, there were approximately 15,385 vessels registered in the registries of EU countries themselves.

[faridg7]

Team, attention! Raise the Russian flag and jack!!!

[carpenter]

Quote: faridg7

Raise the Russian flag and jack!

Sorry, the jack is only on military ships that are in company.

[faridg7]

Quote: carpenter

Quote: faridg7

Raise the Russian flag and jack!

Sorry, the jack is only on military ships that are in company.

I don't think it would be a big problem if the Russian Navy provided commercial cargo transportation services using ships from its auxiliary fleet.

[tihonmarine]

Quote: faridg7

if the Russian Navy provides commercial cargo transportation services using ships from its auxiliary fleet.

How much of this fleet remained after the collapse of the Union?

[faridg7]

Quote: tihonmarine

Quote: faridg7

if the Russian Navy provides commercial cargo transportation services using ships from its auxiliary fleet.

How much of this fleet remained after the collapse of the Union?

And how much will it be if the Russian flag is raised on ships floundering under the flags of islands, which you have to use a magnifying glass to find even on a map?

[Vasilenko Vladimir]

as a result of which the flag state registry immediately revokes the registration

walk under the Russian flag

[carpenter]

Quote: Vasilenko Vladimir

walk under the Russian flag

It won't work, because 73% of the world's fleet flies under a flag of convenience. Under the Soviet Union, exactly 100% of the country's ships sailed under their own flag.

[snow mountain]

Quote: Mouse

Somali pirates and Yemeni Houthis....
turn pale....

Compared to them, they are gentlemen!

[carpenter]

Quote: Schneeberg

Somali pirates and Yemeni Houthis....
turn pale....
Compared to them, they are gentlemen!

There's a comparison. Somali pirates robbed but didn't kill the crews, but Nigerian pirates robbed, sank ships, and killed the crews. This is what Europe adopted, recalling its past from the 15th to 19th centuries.

[Pete mitchell]

From now on, any talk of “freedom of navigation” became empty words.

The Navy must ensure 'freedom of navigation' under the flag of its country. The only thing left to do is to have the resources and the will... While the resources are limited, there is a choice. The question is by will...

[tralflot1832]

There's no more free oil on the market. The owner of the cargo (oil) will hire "cutthroats" on board, or else seek his fortune in the Red Sea, near Hormuz, and off the coasts of Libya and Syria.

[carpenter]

Quote: tralflot1832

Or he will go and seek his fortune in the Red Sea, near Hormuz and off the coast of Libya and Syria.

This is where the Lun (Project 903) would come in handy – a Soviet strike ekranoplan-missile carrier developed by the R. E. Alekseev design bureau in the 1980s.
He flew up "quietly, low," and most importantly, unnoticed, struck, and flew away just as quietly. There was a Frenchman, and then there was no Frenchman.

[Normann]

But it would have been shot down just as quickly with a modern anti-aircraft defense system of an order of ships.

[tihonmarine]

Quote: Normann

But it would have been shot down just as quickly with a modern anti-aircraft defense system of an order of ships.

More likely no than yes, it was flying 2-3 meters above the water, I don’t know what kind of air defense there is now, but I don’t think that an ekranoplan could be intercepted at such altitudes.

[Normann]

That is, cruise missiles can be intercepted, but the huge contraption that is visible even before it is launched cannot.

[cat Rusich]

Quote: carpenter

This is where the Lun (Project 903) would come in handy – a Soviet strike ekranoplan-missile carrier developed by the R. E. Alekseev design bureau in the 1980s.
He flew up "quietly, low," and most importantly, unnoticed, struck, and flew away just as quietly. There was a Frenchman, and then there was no Frenchman.

Where will the Harrier fly from?
From which base (on which sea...) will it take off...

[tralflot1832]

Let the owners of tankers under "flags of convenience" switch to the DPRK flag.

[Polite Moose]

Yeah. If something happens – oops! The cargo is Indian, the crew is North Korean, the ship is Chinese.
And a lollipop for every pirate.

[isv000]

It has become known how the EU “legitimizes” the seizure of ships and confiscation of cargo

Excuse me, when will we hear about the capture team's destruction and the sinking of their helicopter? Will we live to see that bright day?

[rosomaha]

And if you mine the ships in case of capture...if they try to capture you, blow them up...and you'll get your fill of fuel oil by the spoonful.

[Nemchinov Vl]

Quote: rosomaha

And if you mine the ships in case of capture...if they try to capture you, blow them up...and you'll get your fill of fuel oil by the spoonful.

Why should marine flora and fauna suffer from the stupidity of humanity???

[cat Rusich]

Quote: rosomaha

And if you mine the ships in case of capture...if they try to capture you, blow them up...and you'll get your fill of fuel oil by the spoonful.

Are we going to blow it up together with the crew?...
Who would agree to sail on a ship that would be blown up during an attempt to capture it?...

[rosomaha]

Planting a mine without the crew's knowledge... Two or three people will know and be held responsible for it... with a receipt. Or a special passenger... with tough nuts to crack. The explosion isn't meant to take off the entire ship, but to cause heavy damage—for example, to the engine room or tanks. And then they'll say it's the pirates' own fault... they were just messing around. Well, what are you suggesting? Our navy can't defend itself, let alone protect the ships in the oceans that serve us. Setting up machine guns and pinning down a PMC group is expensive.

[carpenter]

When legal norms no longer work and rules are rewritten on the fly, law is replaced by force. From now on, any talk of "freedom of navigation" has become empty words.

"Every misfortune begins with a start," and now the entire world will begin to adopt Western methods. First and foremost, they will begin robbing ships of "flags of convenience," which, according to UNCTAD (the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), account for approximately 73% of the world's merchant fleet.

[Ignatius555]

The wild and unwashed West in all its glory. We could try to negotiate with China, India, and others to provide military escorts for civilian vessels to protect them from European and American pirates.

[Amateur]

Will they reinstate privateering licenses? They must have forgotten that there's a double edge to every sword.

[voland_1]

Brussels exerts strong political pressure on Panama, Honduras, etc., which results in the flag state registry immediately revoking the registration

- What's the basis for such a revocation?? Should I go to court?? Should I forget about Honduras so it doesn't bother me anymore??

[salawat1980]

Quote: carpenter

Quote: tralflot1832

Or he will go and seek his fortune in the Red Sea, near Hormuz and off the coast of Libya and Syria.

This is where the Lun (Project 903) would come in handy – a Soviet strike ekranoplan-missile carrier developed by the R. E. Alekseev design bureau in the 1980s.
He flew up "quietly, low," and most importantly, unnoticed, struck, and flew away just as quietly. There was a Frenchman, and then there was no Frenchman.

He wouldn't even have to strike. He'd just fly past and push the pirates' boats into the wake a bit. Quietly, without noise or dust.

[salawat1980]

Quote: isv000

It has become known how the EU “legitimizes” the seizure of ships and confiscation of cargo

Excuse me, when will we hear about the capture team's destruction and the sinking of their helicopter? Will we live to see that bright day?

The capture team should be detained, arrested, and convicted. Then exchanged for prisoners.

[salawat1980]

Quote: Normann

We have tons of these ships, don't we?

Then we need to wash up, find a shoulder to cry on and keep our heads down.

[Rotmir_Venrus]

That's odd! There are "unmanned" boats. There's even an unmanned Poseidon. Is it really impossible to develop and quickly build an unmanned one, like, say, a "Defender"? A long time ago, about three years ago, I saw a destroyer design online from a respected military institute, which was, so to speak, "water-submarine." The ship was expensive and heavy to build, but what if it were smaller and unmanned, with AI or remote control? Anglo-Saxon pirates attacked, a "Defender" surfaced, hit the target, and then submerged, as if nothing had happened. Surely it could be based on the Poseidon. I'll give you an idea, just in case.

[tihonmarine]

Quote: Rotmir_Venrus

Is it really impossible to develop and quickly build an unmanned vehicle, for example, something like the "Defender"?

In the Russian Federation, there have always been and still are problems with the construction of a fleet, any ships, including BEKs.

[salawat1980]

Quote: tihonmarine

Quote: salawat1980

Just wash the boarding crew overboard with a fire hose.

If you manage to wash it off, the "shaitan pipe" will fly through the wheelhouse first (we dealt with pirates back in the Soviet Union and after).

These state pirates are counting on no resistance! A devil's pipe can't do much to a wheelhouse, and it still has to hit. Hire the Houthis and Somalis to guard the ships. Then it will become clear whose devil's pipe is faster and bigger.

[salawat1980]

Quote: bayard

Quote: APASUS

Oil must be sold at the port.

That's possible, but it doesn't prevent such vessels from being seized, meaning customers will be afraid to ship them to us. Another method is to register such vessels in a Russian port during loading, raise the Russian flag, deploy armed guards, and provide escort/back-up by Russian Navy ships in the most dangerous parts of the route around Europe. This will be safer for the shipowner, and Russia will receive tax revenue and have the means to pay for the security of our trade traffic. It's time to act like a serious sovereign power.
And build a fleet!
We still can't afford it ourselves – ordering a series of frigates from China with hulls and our retrofitting at the Amur Shipyard in Vladivostok. That was the plan 10-12 years ago. Back then, China was shrinking, but times have changed. Their frigates are very inexpensive, but they've been produced in large numbers. Retrofitting them with our weapons systems, air defense systems, communications, and command and control systems – and you've got ships for escort services.
The export price of the Chinese Type 54A frigate is less than $200 million with all weapons systems. If you take only the hull (without weapons, fire control systems and communications), it will be no more than $100 million. The Type 54B is more expensive, but it is larger, more autonomous and overall more interesting. If, in order to speed up and reduce the cost of such escort ships, we simplify the air defense, installing, say, only the Pantsyr-ME, it will be very inexpensive for us. And we do need escorts. Lots of them, inexpensive, but toothy, seaworthy, autonomous. Even the US is building their own now. So we obviously need them too. If we come to an agreement with China and order a large batch, the issue will be resolved quickly. For us, they can generally cost as much as the Karakurt, but at the same time - ships of the DMZ for escort.

All they have to do is put the Shilka on deck and commission it as an auxiliary vessel in the Navy. Will they risk inspecting it? After all, it flies the St. Andrew's flag and is not obligated to obey the authorities of another state.

[Grigory b]

All vessels on the shadow list must be mined with remote detonators near their fuel tanks. And let them arrest them, there's an explosion near the ship's hull, or diesel fuel or fuel oil in the port waters. The crew abandons the sinking, damaged vessel. One or two of these mined vessels will immediately put an end to any desire to seize someone else's property.

[Severe_gopher]

Quote: Mouse

Somali pirates and Yemeni Houthis....
turn pale....

And they change from flip-flops to sandals)))

[Simargl]

Shoot an arrow with a string from a bow along the propeller of a helicopter... with a rope at the end. About 20 meters.