France’s navy intercepts sanctioned Russian tanker in Mediterranean
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Helicopters approach a tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, in a photo released by French defence forces.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- French navy intercepted Russian tanker "GRINCH" in the Mediterranean, suspected of violating sanctions as part of Russia's "shadow fleet".
- The operation, supported by allies including Britain, occurred in international waters and complied with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Tanker was diverted to Marseille for investigation; Macron states shadow fleet activities are contributing to financing Russia's war in Ukraine.
AI generated
PARIS - The French navy on Jan 22 intercepted a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean suspected to be part of the so-called shadow fleet, which enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions.
“This operation was carried out... with the support of several of our allies. It was conducted in full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X.
The interception was carried out on high seas in the Western Mediterranean, between the southern coast of Spain and the northern coast of Morocco, the French maritime police said in a separate statement.
Navies of other countries, including Britain, supported the operation, the statement added.
The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions against Russia so far, but Moscow has adapted to most measures and continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to countries such as India and China, typically at discounted prices.
Much of the oil is carried by a so-called shadow fleet of vessels operating outside of the Western maritime industry.
The tanker, named the GRINCH, was sailing from Murmansk in northern Russia and is subject to international sanctions and suspected of operating under a false flag, Mr Macron said in his post.
“The activities of the shadow fleet contribute to financing (Russia’s) war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mr Macron added.
The case was referred to the prosecutor of Marseille, which handles matters related to maritime law. It ordered the ship to be diverted for further investigation.
In October, France detained another sanctioned tanker,
