France has announced the seizure of an oil tanker named 'Grinch' in the Mediterranean Sea, suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' which is known for bypassing international sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the tanker was 'subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag.'
The operation, conducted by the French navy with support from allies including the United Kingdom, took place Thursday morning between Spain and Morocco. Authorities reported that a search operation confirmed suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the vessel's registration.
The seized tanker was reportedly traveling from Murmansk, Russia's northern port, and was flagged under Comoros according to maritime tracking sources. Macron underscored the importance of enforcing international law and expressed determination to curb the activities of the shadow fleet, which financially supports Russia's combat actions against Ukraine.
UK Defence Secretary John Healy remarked on the collaborative efforts to track down these vessels, with the UK navy providing monitoring support. In light of recent sanctions imposed on 544 vessels associated with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended the seizure as a crucial step in ensuring Russian oil does not finance the ongoing war.
The increasing prevalence of shadow fleets, with countries like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia accused of utilizing them for their oil exports, poses significant challenges in enforcing sanctions. Financial intelligence suggests that approximately 20% of oil tankers globally are involved in smuggling oil from sanctioned nations.
