France Releases Suspected Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker After Fine Payment

A tanker suspected of links to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” has departed French territorial waters after its owner paid a fine, French authorities confirmed on Thursday.

The Mozambique-flagged vessel Deyna was detained in March after being intercepted by the French Navy, with support from British forces, in the Mediterranean near Spain’s Balearic Islands.

The ship had sailed from Murmansk in north-west Russia and was later held at the southern French port of Marseille.

Authorities said the vessel was allowed to leave after its owner admitted to failing to provide proof of the ship’s nationality.

The amount of the fine was not disclosed by the French Mediterranean maritime prefecture or the Marseille prosecutor.

Tracking data on Thursday showed the tanker had already resumed its voyage in the Mediterranean, with China listed as its destination.

French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier described the Deyna as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of ships used to export oil despite Western sanctions imposed following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Western governments, including those in the European Union, have sanctioned hundreds of ships believed to be operating within this network.

These vessels are often linked to practices such as “flag-hopping” or operating under questionable registrations to conceal ownership and avoid enforcement measures.

The Deyna, a 250-metre-long oil tanker, was seized on 20 March on suspicion of sailing under a false flag.

Officials said the detention was part of ongoing efforts to enforce maritime compliance and sanctions regulations.

France has boarded three vessels since September over suspected links to Russia’s shadow fleet.

In January, another tanker named Grinch was detained by French authorities and later released after its owner paid a multi-million-euro fine.

In a separate case, a French court in March sentenced the Chinese captain of the tanker Boracay to one year in prison in absentia and imposed a €150,000 fine for failing to comply with orders to stop the vessel.

French authorities are now considering stricter enforcement measures. A draft law proposes doubling penalties for ships that breach registration rules.

Under the proposal, failing to fly the correct flag or refusing to comply with orders could result in up to two years in prison and a €300,000 fine.

If such actions endanger boarding personnel, penalties could rise to seven years in prison and fines of up to €700,000.

Across the European Union, nearly 600 vessels are currently under sanctions for suspected involvement in Russia’s oil trade network.

References: Reuters, lemonde