To reduce shipping costs, the US plans to ease sanctions on the "shadow fleet," and the related policy has sparked widespread criticism.

(1) On Wednesday local time, a U.S. official revealed that the Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on "shadow fleet" vessels. These ships have mainly been used to transfer oil and petroleum products from countries such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. The purpose of the policy adjustment is to lower the current historically high global shipping rates. (2) Shortly before this news broke, Trump had already temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel. This policy move has sparked strong opposition from Ukrainian President Zelensky, several European governments, and some Republican senators. (3) According to this U.S. official, the core of the current internal discussion is whether to allow previously sanctioned ships to transport so-called "legal oil." Here, "legal oil" specifically refers to crude oil and refined petroleum products not subject to U.S. sanctions, with sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil and gas excluded from this permission. (4) The U.S. side stated that if this plan is implemented, it hopes to encourage the Gulf region to export more crude oil and petroleum products, thereby increasing shipping supply and alleviating pressure on freight prices.