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BBC News understands that the UK government has identified a legal basis that it believes enables the UK military to board and detain vessels believed to be part of so-called shadow fleets.
Russia, Iran, and Venezuela have faced accusations of operating ships without valid national flags, allegedly to circumvent oil sanctions.
Last week, British armed forces provided assistance to US troops in the seizure of the Marinera oil tanker, which American officials allege was carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, in violation of US sanctions. British armed forces assisted US troops in seizing the Marinera oil tanker
To date, UK military personnel have not boarded any vessels, but officials have been exploring potential measures for several weeks.
Ministers believe that the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018 provides the necessary legal framework to authorize the use of military force.
Reportedly, plans are underway for the armed forces to utilize these powers, marking what government insiders describe as an escalation of action against these vessels.
The timing of the first potential UK military action remains unspecified.
Two oil tankers subject to US sanctions were reportedly observed sailing eastward through the English Channel towards Russia on Thursday.
The UK has already imposed sanctions on more than 500 vessels suspected of being part of shadow fleets, which it believes are contributing to funding hostile activities, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ministers assert that actions taken by the UK and its allies have resulted in approximately 200 ships being removed from the seas, the majority of which were allegedly operating without proper flag registration.
Ship flagging is the process of registering a vessel in a specific country, granting it the right to navigate international waters and offering legal protections.
The government contends that this newly identified legal mechanism could be applied to any sanctioned vessel lacking legitimate flag registration.
Officials state that this would have included the Marinera tanker, which was seized last week.
The Marinera, a Venezuelan-linked ship previously known as the Bella 1, was stopped by the US Coast Guard while traversing the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Scotland.
The Ministry of Defence reported that the US requested assistance from the UK, leading to the participation of RAF surveillance aircraft and the Royal Navy support ship RFA Tideforce in the operation.
Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the action was “in full compliance with international law,” adding that the UK “will not stand by as malign activity increases on the high seas.”
Healey informed MPs on Wednesday that the government was “stepping up action on the shadow fleet, developing further military options and strengthening co-ordination with allies.”
Reportedly, the identification of this legal mechanism was among the military options to which Healey referred.
The US has intensified its actions against shadow fleet vessels, with five tankers seized in recent weeks.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated: “The defence secretary set out in parliament this week that deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government.”
They added: “We will not comment on specific operational planning.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated on Sunday that the number of insurance checks was being increased, with over 600 ships stopped while sailing near the British Isles.
Vessels lacking legitimate flag registration often lack insurance, which experts have warned could precipitate a crisis in the event of an incident such as a costly oil spill.
However, Alexander stated that it would be inappropriate to disclose the number of alleged shadow vessels known to have sailed in UK waters.
She told Sky News: “Providing you with that information only helps one person and that is President Putin.”
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