The French navy has intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean, suspected of being part of the 'shadow fleet' enabling Russia to evade sanctions. President Emmanuel Macron announced the operation on X, stating the vessel was boarded and searched on the high seas with support from several allies.
The tanker, named Grinch, was located between the southern coast of Spain and the northern coast of Morocco and then diverted. An examination of documents confirmed doubts about the regularity of its flag. The ship is being escorted to an anchorage for further checks.
The term 'shadow fleet' describes hundreds of unregulated ageing tankers carrying Russian oil to countries such as China and India, often changing flags to circumvent Western sanctions. The intercepted tanker was sailing from Murmansk under a Comoros flag.
The global shadow fleet includes 1,423 tankers, of which 921 are subject to US, British or European sanctions, according to maritime data specialist Lloyd's List Intelligence. These vessels lack top-tier insurance cover needed to meet international standards.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the interception, calling for confiscation and sale of the oil. Macron said such activities finance Russia's war in Ukraine. The Russian embassy is trying to determine if any Russian citizens are among the crew.
