France Fines Owner of Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker €1 Million
France has fined the owner of the sanctioned tanker Tagor €1 million after the vessel was detained by the French Navy in the Atlantic Ocean in late May.
According to Le Monde, Brest prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger said the owner was fined for sailing without a valid flag and refusing to comply with orders issued by French naval authorities. The Tagor was sailing under the flag of Cameroon at the time of its detention, which French authorities suspected was fraudulent. The tanker had previously operated under the flags of Madagascar, the Marshall Islands, and Panama.
Sanctions-Linked Vessel’s Previous Operations
The Tagor is part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of ships used to circumvent international sanctions against Russia. The vessel has been subject to various flag changes in an attempt to avoid detection by authorities. Its previous operations have raised concerns about the potential for illegal activities, such as oil smuggling or money laundering.
French Authorities Take Action
The French Navy intercepted the Tagor in the Atlantic at the end of May while it was en route from Russia. The vessel was escorted to Douarnenez Bay in the Finistère department, where prosecutors launched an investigation. The Russian captain was briefly detained before being released.
Once the administrative settlement procedure is completed, the vessel’s detention will be lifted and the Tagor will be allowed to leave French territorial waters. The fine imposed on the owner serves as a deterrent against similar violations of international regulations and French laws.
Original Article: France Fines Owner of Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker €1 Million — Uatv