France Fines Russia-Linked Oil Tanker in Shadow Fleet Crackdown
The French government has imposed a multimillion-euro fine on a Russian-linked oil tanker, the Grinch, for violating European sanctions on Russian oil. The vessel was seized by the French navy last month in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Grinch, which originated from Murmansk in the Russian Arctic, was boarded by the French navy as part of a global effort to crack down on shadow fleet ships used to export sanctioned crude. Moscow’s war in Ukraine has led to a significant increase in the size of this dark fleet, comprising vessels without standard insurance, often flying under questionable flags, or no flags at all, and with opaque ownership structures.
Shadow Fleet Growth and Sanctions
More than 600 tankers have been sanctioned by a combination of the European Union, the U.K., and the U.S. for their links to Russia. Of these, more than 570 have been blacklisted by the EU since June 2024, surpassing any other authority.
The Grinch‘s seizure was not an isolated incident. In September, the oil tanker Boracay was boarded off France’s Atlantic coast for failing to provide proof of its nationality and flag, as well as refusing to comply with requests from the navy.
French Authorities’ Crackdown
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the consequences of circumventing European sanctions, stating that Russia will no longer be able to finance its war with impunity via a shadow fleet off France’s coasts. The Grinch will leave French waters after “paying several millions of euros and three weeks of costly immobilization at Fos-sur-Mer,” according to Barrot.
The exact amount of the fine was not specified, but it is clear that the French government is committed to enforcing sanctions on Russia-linked vessels. This move sends a strong message to other shadow fleet operators that they will face consequences for violating international law and undermining global efforts to combat Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Original Article: France Fines Russia-Linked Oil Tanker in Shadow Fleet Crackdown — Supplychainbrain