Overview

• Republican Jim Risch and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen unveiled the bipartisan SHADOW Fleets Act on Sept. 19 with backing from senators including Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton.
• The bill defines indicators to identify vessels aiding Russia’s so‑called shadow fleet and imposes strict liability on ships that transfer cargo with sanctioned vessels.
• Provisions expand penalties to Russian Arctic LNG projects, new LNG development, and parts of the defense sector, and include a measure to terminate Nord Stream II.
• Sponsors say the measure would better align U.S. sanctions with Europe, as the European Commission proposed a new package featuring an accelerated LNG import ban and penalties on 118 shadow‑fleet vessels.
• The bill’s path remains uncertain, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune seeking a White House green light and Republican leaders looking for President Trump’s position after earlier sanctions efforts stalled.