French Navy Stops Sanctioned Shadow Fleet Tanker Sailing Under False Flag
The French Navy, working in collaboration with the UK, has successfully stopped another sanctioned shadow fleet tanker sailing in the Mediterranean. The incident occurred midday on March 20, when the Navy reported that it had been tracking the vessel, which was suspected of operating under a false flag.
French forces boarded the tanker by helicopter after reporting that they had been monitoring the vessel’s AIS signal, which showed it heading to the Suez Canal and likely to China. Images obtained from the scene show the ship low in the water, laden with a cargo of crude. The Deyna, built in 2005, is listed as having had its class withdrawn in March 2024 and does not display an inspection record since August 2024.
The tanker was sanctioned by the United States in January 2025 for its involvement with the Russian oil industry and links to a company called Sino Ship Management. The European Union and the UK also sanctioned this tanker in 2025.
Verification Efforts Confirm Suspicion
Initial verification efforts conducted by French authorities confirmed their suspicion regarding the legitimacy of the flag, and the case was referred to the public prosecutor in Marseille. At the prosecutor’s request, the tanker is being escorted to an anchorage for continued inspections.
“These vessels, which evade international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are profiteers of war,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron. “They line their pockets while helping finance Russia’s war effort.” The French President emphasized that France remains resolute in its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues unabated.
Recent Efforts to Crack Down on False-Flag Vessels
This marks the third instance where French authorities have reported detaining a shadow fleet tanker. In January, it stopped another tanker off Marseille but released it after paying several million euros in fines. Similarly, last September, France detained another tanker off the Atlantic coast. The captain of that tanker was being tried in France for disobeying instructions from the military.
Across Europe, there are increasing efforts to crack down on false-flag vessels. The French military assisted Belgium in stopping another tanker earlier in March. It was also released after paying a fine. Sweden this month has detained two vessels that it reports were sailing under false flags. Both cases are currently under investigation, with the captains placed under detention and facing possible felony charges for presenting false papers. Denmark is also detaining a containership linked to Iran after reporting it was also flying a false flag, but quickly changed to Iran when it was challenged.
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Original Article: French Navy Stops Sanctioned Shadow Fleet Tanker Sailing Under False Flag — The Maritime Executive