Part 6/8:
Despite the scale of the dark fleet's activities, enforcement remains exceedingly challenging. The Coast Guard and other maritime authorities lack adequate resources and prioritization to effectively counter illicit activities like oil smuggling, illegal fishing, or human trafficking. This divergence in priorities allows the dark fleet to flourish, often without repercussions. The international community grapples with the difficulties of enforcing sanctions. Rather than stifling the flow of oil from major producers like Iran or Venezuela, ineffectual sanctions create incentives for continued trade, complicating the already intricate dynamics of global oil markets.