French Navy Boards Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker Near Réunion Island
The French Navy intercepted and boarded the sanctioned oil tanker DF Peak in the Indian Ocean over suspected false-flag registration and illegal fuel transportation, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
The operation took place on Monday morning, Oct. 12, more than 450 nautical miles (approximately 830 kilometers) south of Réunion, a French island east of Madagascar. The boarding was conducted under international maritime law and demonstrated France’s determination to combat illegal trafficking.
Vessel Linked to Russian Oil Trade
The DF Peak, with IMO number 9341067, is listed in Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR) War & Sanctions database as a vessel involved in ferrying Russian crude oil and petroleum products. The tanker previously operated under the names NS Captain and Kaliningrad and has sailed under several flags. It currently claims registration in Benin, although French authorities suspect that the flag may be invalid or improperly used.
The vessel is associated with Russia’s state-controlled shipping company Sovcomflot, which has been sanctioned for helping Moscow export energy products and generate revenue during the war. The US sanctioned the vessel in February 2024 as part of measures targeting ships affiliated with Sovcomflot. The EU added it to its sanctions list in June 2024, followed by Switzerland, Canada, the UK, Ukraine, and Japan.
France Steps Up Shadow Fleet Interceptions
France has intensified operations against suspected shadow-fleet tankers in 2026. In June, French forces and their partners intercepted the Russia-linked tanker Tagor in the Atlantic after authorities raised doubts about its claimed Cameroonian registration. Later that month, France boarded the tanker Deliver near Sicily, also on suspicion of violating international maritime rules.
Shadow-fleet ships frequently operate under questionable registrations, use complex corporate structures to conceal their owners, and sometimes disable tracking equipment. European officials have also warned that poorly maintained tankers carrying large quantities of oil create serious environmental risks.
Original Article: France Boards Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker Near Reunion Island — Kyivpost