SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Risch, James E. [R-ID]
In Committee
Summary
Targets the Russian “shadow fleet” with new sanctions and enforcement. The bill builds a layered regime that can blacklist vessels, ports, insurers, service providers, and firms tied to Russian energy and defense projects to stop maritime sanction evasion and harmful maritime behavior.
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- Maritime operators and insurers: The bill names twelve indicators of suspicious or unsafe ship behavior, such as turning off transponders and frequent flag changes, and allows sanctions on vessels plus owners, managers, insurers, and service providers involved in ship-to-ship transfers or facilitation.
- Ports and international coordination: It authorizes sanctions on port terminals in the People’s Republic of China or India that accept Russian-origin oil sold above the price cap or linked to sanctioned vessels, and requires coordinated reporting and harmonization with EU and UK designation practices.
- Energy, defense, and enforcement resources: It mandates recurring lists and reports on Russian energy projects and defense supply chains, applies visa bans and property-blocking to identified actors, and funds modernization and assistance for enforcement and support to Ukraine and allies.
*Authorizes roughly $460 million in specified appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and creates ongoing reporting and enforcement duties that would increase federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Reports and strategy on Russian oil
If enacted, the bill would require public and classified reports on Russian-origin petroleum exports and U.S. enforcement of the crude-oil price cap. Agencies must estimate volumes, prices, and Russian revenue, including amounts tied to China, and post unclassified reports publicly. The Secretary of State must produce a public strategy within 120 days on the People's Republic of China’s role in evading sanctions and include metrics on smuggling and market impacts. The Treasury would monitor and help enforce the price cap within U.S. jurisdiction.
Faster defense licenses for Ukraine
If enacted, the bill would shorten the waiting period for some U.S. export licenses of defense articles or services to Ukraine from 30 days to 15 days after Congress receives the required certification. The bill would also allow a Senate discharge motion five days after a joint resolution of disapproval is filed.
Flag registry and port inspection rules
If enacted, the bill would set U.S. standards for when a foreign open flag registry meets minimum safety and transparency rules. It would push for adoption of IMO Resolution A.1192(33) and urge port-state enhanced inspections when a vessel intentionally disables tracking or hides its identity. The State Department must assess flag states and submit a strategy to Congress within one year and then annually through 2030. The President must also report quickly on any Russian escalation in certain seas that could threaten inspections or undersea infrastructure.
Funding and modernization for sanctions
If enacted, the bill would fund and modernize U.S. sanctions work. It would authorize $200 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for a Countering Russian Influence Fund at the State Department. It would also authorize $15 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027 for the Office of Sanctions Coordination and the Office of Foreign Assets Control each. The Office of Sanctions Coordination must report on modernization steps to Congress within 180 days.
Humanitarian, safety, and intelligence exceptions
If enacted, the bill would exempt transactions for food, medicine, medical devices, and other humanitarian aid from these sanctions. It would allow crew safety supplies, lifesaving maintenance, and safe decommissioning work for sanctioned vessels without triggering the title's sanctions. The bill would exclude admissions or parole needed to comply with the U.N. Headquarters Agreement or to assist authorized law enforcement. It would also say that authorized U.S. intelligence activities and Title V reportable activities are not covered by these sanctions.
Sanctions on defense and energy suppliers
If enacted, the bill would require reports identifying foreign companies that knowingly supplied Russia's defense industry and could make those aliens inadmissible and ineligible for U.S. visas. The President would be required to block property of identified persons in U.S. jurisdiction unless a wind-down is certified. The bill would also require sanctions on leaders or controlling shareholders of specific Russian energy projects within set timeframes. Violations of the title could carry the civil and criminal penalties in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Sanctions on shadow-fleet ships
If enacted, the bill would require the President to sanction foreign people and vessels that help U.S.-sanctioned Russian "shadow-fleet" ships. It would cover ship-to-ship transfers of Russian oil, coal, or uranium and people who knowingly provide crew, maintenance, insurance, retrofits, or deceptive services. Officials could treat a vessel as risky if it shows three or more listed warning signs. Some sanctions must begin within 90 days and others within 180 days after enactment.
Waivers, certifications, and sunset
If enacted, the bill would let the President waive these sanctions for a foreign vessel or person for limited periods if the waiver serves national security, and it would allow written Presidential certifications that a foreign person stopped sanctionable activity to avoid mandatory sanctions. The bill would change pipeline waiver timing rules and add Nord Stream 1 and successors to covered pipelines with a 30-day congressional review window. The bill would also terminate the listed sanction authorities and any sanctions under them ten years after enactment.
Port, vessel database, and reports
If enacted, the bill would let the President sanction port owners or operators in China or India that accept certain Russian oil shipments. It would require a public database of vessels suspected of sabotage linked to the shadow fleet. The bill would also require recurring reports to Congress listing EU/UK-sanctioned vessels, U.S. vessel sanctions, and annual reports on exceptions to sanctionability.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
AR • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 9/19/2025
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 9/19/2025
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/19/2025
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 10/30/2025
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 10/30/2025
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
John Boozman
AR • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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