The French navy has stopped a Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean. The operation was carried out jointly with the British secret service as part of a mission against the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet.
The French maritime authorities for the Mediterranean have announced that the crude oil tanker “Grinch” is suspected of sailing under a false flag. The oil tanker is an Aframax tanker of the LR-2 class, was built in South Korea in 2004 and is currently sailing under the flag of the Comoros. The ship is 249 m long, 43 m wide, has a carrying capacity of 115,630 dwt and a gross tonnage of 62,796 GT.
According to the maritime authorities, the tanker is being escorted to a port by the French navy for further inspection.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a post on “X” that the country was determined to enforce international law and ensure the effective implementation of sanctions. He also published a photo showing a French helicopter over the tanker. “The activities of the so-called shadow fleet are helping to finance the war of aggression against Ukraine,” Macron added.
The operation was carried out in cooperation with Great Britain. According to French military officials, the UK had collected and passed on relevant information that enabled the interception of the ship.
According to this information, the tanker was sailing under a false Comorian flag. The crew consists of Indian seamen. Russia’s shadow fleet is mainly made up of older tankers, which are often registered under flags of convenience such as those of the Comoros or Panama.
