France Releases Suspected Russia ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker After Fine
France released a tanker called Grinch, suspected of being part of Russia‘s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet,” after its owner paid a multi-million-euro fine, according to French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
The Grinch was boarded by French forces and their allies last month between Spain and Morocco as it started its journey in Russia. It was escorted to a port near the southern city of Marseille. Ship-tracking websites MarineTraffic and VesselFinder reported that the vessel had been flying a Comoros flag.
The tanker is thought to be part of a fleet of mostly old tankers used to transport Russian oil in violation of a crude price cap imposed by Western countries and the G7 over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Vessels in this “shadow fleet” frequently change the flags they fly, known as “flag-hopping,” and sometimes sail under invalid flags in an attempt to escape detection and tracking.
French Authorities Take Action Against ‘Shadow Fleet’
The Grinch is leaving French waters after paying several million euros and enduring a costly three-week immobilization, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. “Evading European sanctions comes at a price. Russia will no longer be able to bankroll its war with impunity through a shadow fleet off our shores,” he said.
The public prosecutor’s office and regional authorities stated that the company that owns the vessel was sentenced by the Marseille judicial court to a financial penalty as part of a guilty plea procedure. Grinch is under U.K. sanctions, while another vessel with the same registration number, Carl, is sanctioned by the U.S. and European Union.
International Efforts to Combat ‘Shadow Fleet’
The boarding in January was the second of its kind in recent months. France detained a Russian-linked ship called Boracay in September, which claimed to be flagged in Benin. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned this move as “piracy.” The European Union lists 598 vessels suspected of being part of the “shadow fleet” that are banned from European ports and maritime services.
The international community has been working together to combat the “shadow fleet” and prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions. This effort includes tracking and monitoring vessel movements, as well as imposing financial penalties on those who violate these restrictions.
Original Article: France releases suspected Russia ‘shadow fleet’ tanker after fine — Hurriyetdailynews