The captain of an oil tanker linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” has been charged by French authorities. This shadow fleet is rumored to help Russia bypass sanctions related to its invasion of Ukraine.
The captain, a Chinese national, faces one count of ignoring orders from the French navy. He will appear in court in Brest, France, next February. His ship, the Boracay, left Russia last month and was near Denmark when drones caused airport closures.
French soldiers boarded the Boracay because it was on a list of EU-sanctioned vessels. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned this action as “piracy.” The Kremlin claimed it had no prior knowledge of the ship.
Currently registered in Benin, the Boracay has changed names and flags multiple times to avoid sanctions. French authorities found the captain unable to clearly explain the ship’s flag. He and a second captain, also Chinese, were detained for questioning. The second captain has been released without charges.
The Boracay is now anchored near Saint-Nazaire, France. Under international maritime law, naval forces can stop a ship if they suspect it lacks a nationality. Many Western countries have limited Russian oil imports since the war began, aiming to weaken its economy.
Russia is believed to have a so-called “shadow fleet” of hundreds of tankers, registered under different countries to obscure their ownership and movements. French President Emmanuel Macron estimated this fleet has between 600 and 1,000 ships. Earlier this year, the Boracay was detained by Estonia for sailing without a valid flag.
The ship set sail from Primorsk, Russia, on September 20, navigating through various seas. It was due to arrive in Vadinar, India, on October 20.
Interestingly, the Boracay’s involvement in last week’s drone incidents over Denmark remains uncertain. Danish authorities reported no evidence linking the drones to Russia. Other countries, including Poland and Estonia, have also reported airspace violations, but Moscow has denied these accusations.
Amid these tensions, European leaders are increasingly concerned about security. The situation continues to evolve, reflecting the ongoing complexities of international relations in light of the war in Ukraine.
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