In a significant development, French authorities have launched an investigation into a Russia-linked shadow fleet vessel, the Benin-flagged oil tanker imo-9332810/”>Boracay, which was previously stopped by Estonian authorities in April. The ship is listed under British and European Union sanctions against Russia for its suspected involvement in transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products.
The imo-9332810/”>Boracay, formerly known as imo-9332810/”>Kiwala, was detained by the Estonian authorities on April 11 after an inspection found over 40 deficiencies. The vessel was released on April 26 but has now been stopped again by French authorities, who are investigating a suspected offense by the ship’s crew. According to MarineTraffic, the imo-9332810/”>Boracay left the Russian port of Primorsky on September 20 and headed from the imo-9281891/”>Baltic Sea to the North Sea via the Danish Straits before moving west through the English Channel.
The imo-9332810/”>Boracay is part of the so-called shadow fleet of tankers involved in the Russian oil trade that have unknown ownership and insurance and are typically over 20 years old. The EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel, citing its involvement in transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices.
The investigation into the imo-9332810/”>Boracay‘s activities is significant not only because of the ship’s suspected involvement in breaking sanctions but also due to concerns about its potential role in supporting Russia’s military capabilities. There is speculation that the ship may have been used as a base for launching drones, which flew over Danish airports last week, disrupting air traffic for several nights.
In an interview with TV2, Peter Møller, a Danish expert on the shadow fleet, commented on the imo-9332810/”>Boracay‘s activities: “Authorities in France have launched an investigation into the Russian shadow fleet vessel imo-9332810/”>Pushpa, which passed through Danish waters during both the drone incidents at Copenhagen Airport and at military… — Michelle Wiese Bockmann (@Michellewb_) September 30, 2025″
The investigation into the imo-9332810/”>Boracay‘s activities is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what consequences the ship will face. The incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in tracking and regulating the shadow fleet of tankers involved in the Russian oil trade. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that international cooperation and coordination will be crucial in addressing these concerns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the investigation into the imo-9332810/”>Boracay‘s activities is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat sanctions evasion and support international security. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of effective regulation and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the misuse of shipping vessels for illicit purposes.
Original Article: France detains shadow fleet vessel previously stopped by Estonian authorities — Err