OREANDA-NEWS Denmark may start inspecting tankers with Russian oil in its waters and block them if necessary, the Financial Times writes, citing sources.

According to the interlocutors of the publication, familiar with the ongoing negotiations in Brussels, the main target will be tankers that do not have Western insurance. The inspection will be carried out on the basis of international laws that allow countries to inspect ships if there are concerns that they may harm the environment.

The conditions of the "price ceiling" for Russian fuel stipulate that Western insurance companies can provide insurance services for oil transportation from the Russian Federation only if it is sold at a price below $60 per barrel. At the same time, the EU has suspicions that many vessels with Russian oil do not have such insurance, including covering damage from leaks and oil spills, the FT notes.

"The key task is to ensure compliance with the insurance rules," one of the sources said. - Now it is being done only partially. Coastal countries have the right to see the evidence."

According to the FT, about 60% of Russian oil supplies by sea are carried out through the Baltic Sea, and all this volume passes through the territorial waters of Denmark. According to the publication, about 2 million barrels of Russian oil pass through the Danish Straits every day, which is equivalent to three Aframax class tankers.

Officials contacted by the newspaper for comment note that the success of the initiative largely depends on the ability of the Danish Navy to stop and inspect tankers. The question also arises what to do if the ship refuses to stop.

A representative of the Danish Joint Military Command said in response to an FT request that the Danish military "does not check documents or vessels passing through the straits, except in cases related to maritime security."