Russia oil trade: 'Shadow fleet' investigation wins EU prize
An extensive cross-border investigation into a covert shipping network that supports Russia’s oil trade and circumvents international sanctions has won the 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.
The winning project, coordinated by the Dutch platform Follow the Money, involved the collaboration of 13 European newsrooms and more than 40 journalists from eight countries.
$6bn from the Second-Hand Tanker Trade
The investigation revealed that Western ship owners sold 230 ageing tankers, worth more than $6bn, to entities that integrated them into Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet' – a shipping network operating to transport Russian oil while bypassing the international sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
The vessels often operate under an opaque ownership regime and lack environmental insurance, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Journalists analysed data and satellite images and interviewed crew members, bringing to light the links between the shadow fleet and companies based in the European Union.
European recruitment network for Russia’s shadow fleet
The investigation also tracked 60 vessels and identified eight EU-based agencies, as well as a further 20 based in Ukraine, that recruit personnel for the fleet.
These findings highlight how seemingly ordinary European businesses are contributing, directly or indirectly, to Russia's war economy.
Award ceremony held at the European Parliament
The award ceremony took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, in the press room named after the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in a car bomb attack in 2017. The event was attended by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Pina Picierno, EP Vice-President responsible for the prize, alongside members of the pan-European jury.
"The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize is proof of the inextricable link between a free press, democracy, and peace," emphasised Ms Metsola, drawing attention to the crucial role journalists play in combating corruption and disinformation in a world increasingly threatened by authoritarian regimes.
Between 21 May and 31 July 2025, more than 300 journalistic entries from all 27 EU member states were entered into the competition. Of these, ten were shortlisted, and the jury chose the shadow fleet investigation as the winner, deeming it particularly relevant to the current geopolitical context.
The Prize – A Symbol of Press Freedom in Europe
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize, which carries a cash prize of €20,000, is supported by the European Parliament and annually honours exceptional investigative journalism that promotes the fundamental values of the European Union: freedom, human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law.
Previous winners of the prestigious award include projects such as: 'The Pegasus Project' (2021), the documentary 'Central African Republic under Russian influence' by Clément Di Roma and Carol Valade (2022), the investigation into the Pylos shipwreck (2023), and the report on missing migrant children (2024).
Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese journalist and blogger known for her investigations into high-level corruption, money laundering, and organised crime. She was assassinated in a car bomb attack on 16 October 2017, after years of harassment and threats. Her death triggered a political crisis in Malta and generated harsh reactions from the European Union, which continues to demand real protection for journalists today.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
