France recently seized an oil tanker called the Grinch in the Mediterranean. It’s believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which is a network used to dodge Western sanctions on Russian oil.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the seizure, stating the tanker was under international sanctions and was suspected of using a false flag. French navy forces, in coordination with allies like the UK, boarded the Grinch near the coast of Spain and Morocco. They confirmed suspicions about its flag during a search.
The Grinch was reportedly traveling from Murmansk, a northern Russian port, and was flying a flag from Comoros. The Russian embassy in Paris stated they hadn’t been informed of the seizure.
Moscow’s shadow fleet consists of older tankers with unclear ownership, helping them evade sanctions. This clandestine operation is crucial to financing Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to enforcing international law to cut off funding for the war.
UK Defence Secretary John Healy mentioned that the UK navy had a role in monitoring the tanker. He emphasized that the UK has sanctioned 544 vessels linked to the shadow fleet and that they are working with allies to clamp down on such operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed France’s actions, calling for even stricter measures. He proposed that the oil on these seized tankers should be sold rather than left to sit.
The international community, led by Western nations, imposed sanctions on Russian energy after the invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022. This recent seizure aligns with a pattern where countries like the US and UK have taken significant steps to enforce these sanctions. Earlier this year, British forces helped with a US operation that seized another sanctioned tanker.
There’s a growing concern about shadow fleets — a tactic used not just by Russia but also by countries like Venezuela and Iran to bypass sanctions. According to S&P Global, an estimated one in five oil tankers globally is involved in smuggling oil from sanctioned states, making it a critical issue for international relations and security.
For a deeper understanding of the impact of these sanctions, you can visit the BBC for more insights.
