France has seized an oil tanker in the Mediterranean believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network used to bypass international sanctions on Russian oil exports.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the vessel, named Grinch, was detained after authorities determined it was operating under questionable registration and may have been flying a false flag. The tanker was intercepted on Thursday between Spain and Morocco during a joint operation involving the French navy and allied forces.
French maritime officials said an inspection of the ship raised serious concerns about the legality of its documentation and flag status. The vessel had reportedly departed from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk and was sailing under a Comoros flag, according to maritime tracking data.
Russia’s embassy in Paris said it had not been officially informed about the seizure.
Western governments say Russia has increasingly relied on a covert network of ageing oil tankers with unclear ownership and insurance to continue exporting crude despite international sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. These vessels, often referred to as a shadow fleet, are used to move oil outside regulated markets.
Announcing the operation, President Macron said France was committed to enforcing international law and preventing the circumvention of sanctions. He added that such activities help finance Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and would not be tolerated.
The United Kingdom also confirmed its involvement, with Defence Secretary John Healey stating that the Royal Navy assisted by tracking the tanker as it passed through the Strait of Gibraltar. He said allied nations were increasing efforts to disrupt shipments that help fund Moscow’s military campaign.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move, calling it a strong step toward cutting off financial support for Russia’s war. He urged further action, including the seizure and sale of oil carried by vessels linked to sanctions violations.
The seizure follows a series of similar actions by Western nations. Earlier this year, the UK supported a US-led operation to detain a tanker accused of carrying sanctioned oil. France also briefly seized another Russian-linked vessel last October before releasing it.
Experts say the use of shadow fleets is growing, with Russia, Iran and Venezuela increasingly relying on such methods to move oil. Industry analysts estimate that a significant portion of the global tanker fleet is now involved in transporting sanctioned crude.