Ghost ships

Published: June 23, 2024, 11:01 p.m.

A shadow fleet of old and poorly maintained ships is cruising the high seas, often hiding their true identities through a series of shell companies.

Their numbers have grown massively since Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Lloyd\u2019s List estimates as many as 12% of tankers are part of the dark fleet.

There\u2019s increasing concern about the danger to the environment, and to ship\u2019s crews. But how effective at tackling the problem is the regulator, the International Maritime Organisation?

Presenter: Lesley Curwen\nProducer: Clare Williamson

(Image: Sea and ship at sunset. Credit: Getty Images)