GRINCH Oil Tanker Grounded in Marseille Port After Interception by French Navy
The ‘GRINCH‘ oil tanker, suspected of operating under a false flag and belonging to Russia‘s shadow fleet that enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions, has been grounded in the Marseille-Fos port. The development comes after the vessel was intercepted by the French navy on suspicion of being part of the “shadow fleet” that allows Russia to circumvent international sanctions.
The GRINCH left the Russian port of Murmansk in early January and sailed under a Comoros flag, according to French authorities. The Indian captain of the tanker had been detained by authorities but was later released and allowed to return on board the vessel.
French Authorities Confirm Vessel’s Connection to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
French authorities have confirmed that the GRINCH oil tanker is connected to Russia‘s shadow fleet, which enables Russia to export oil despite international sanctions. The shadow fleet is a network of ships used by Russia to circumvent sanctions and export oil to countries around the world.
The French navy intercepted the GRINCH in the Alboran Sea on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to the shadow fleet. The vessel was then diverted to the port of Marseille-Fos, where it has been grounded pending further investigation.
Indian Captain Released After Detention by Authorities
The Indian captain of the GRINCH oil tanker had been detained by authorities after the vessel’s interception but was later released and allowed to return on board the vessel. The captain’s detention was part of the French authorities’ efforts to investigate the vessel’s connection to Russia‘s shadow fleet.
The release of the captain does not necessarily indicate that the investigation has concluded, as the French authorities may still be gathering evidence or conducting further interviews in connection with the case.
International Sanctions Against Russia Remain in Place
Despite the grounding of the GRINCH oil tanker, international sanctions against Russia remain in place. The sanctions were imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and other regions, and are intended to pressure Russia to comply with international norms and respect the sovereignty of neighboring countries.
The sanctions have had significant economic impacts on Russia, including restrictions on its ability to export oil and other goods. However, the shadow fleet has allowed Russia to continue exporting oil despite these sanctions, which has raised concerns among international authorities about the effectiveness of the sanctions regime.
Original Article: Suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker ‘GRINCH’ grounded in Marseille port | Reuters — Reuters