French Authorities Detain Captain and First Mate of Shadow Tanker Linked to Denmark Drone Scare
French authorities have detained the captain and first mate of the Boracay, a shadow fleet tanker blacklisted by the European Union, amid suspicions it was involved in last week’s mysterious drone incursions over Denmark. The pair were taken into custody after French naval forces boarded the 244 m long, Benin-flagged aframax off Saint-Nazaire over the weekend, Brest prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger confirmed.
The arrests follow an investigation into the crew’s “failure to justify the nationality of the vessel” and “refusal to cooperate”. The Boracay has been under EU and UK sanctions since February for its role in Russia’s clandestine oil export network. The vessel, carrying Urals crude to Asia, left Primorsk on September 20 bound for Vadinar, India, according to AIS data.
Investigation into Crew’s Activities
The French authorities’ investigation into the Boracay‘s activities has revealed a pattern of rapid ownership, name and flag changes that have become hallmarks of Russia’s so-called dark fleet. Built in 2007, the Boracay has cycled through four registered owners, five names and seven flags in the past three years, according to data from Windward, a maritime analytics company.
The vessel’s history raises questions about its true ownership and purpose. The rapid changes in flag and name suggest that the Boracay may be part of a larger network of ships used to circumvent international sanctions against Russia. This is not the first time that French authorities have taken action against vessels linked to Russia’s clandestine oil export network.
International Reactions
President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at an EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen, stressed the seriousness of the case. “There were some very serious offences committed by this crew, which justify the current judicial procedure,” Macron said. He cautioned, however, against rushing to link the ship directly to drone flights that disrupted Danish airports and military sites from September 22 to 25. “I will remain very careful, as it is not for me to establish such a connection,” the French president added.
The incident has sparked international concern about the potential use of shadow tankers in illegal activities. The EU has been working to strengthen its sanctions against Russia’s oil export network and to prevent the misuse of vessels like the Boracay.
Original Article: France detains captain and first mate of shadow tanker linked to Denmark drone scare — Splash247