France boards suspected shadow tanker

French authorities say their navy intercepted and boarded an oil tanker on the high seas in the western Mediterranean that they suspect is part of a “shadow fleet” used to evade sanctions on Russian oil. President Emmanuel Macron and the Mediterranean maritime prefecture said the vessel, which sailed from Murmansk, was suspected of operating under a false flag and is subject to a judicial investigation after being diverted to an anchorage for further checks. Ship-tracking data indicated the tanker was flying a Comoros flag.

Video released by the French armed forces shows naval personnel approaching the vessel by rigid inflatable boats and helicopters, boarding, securing the deck and conducting inspections while the crew offered no visible resistance. Officials described the operation as conducted in accordance with international maritime law and focused on verifying identity, documentation and cargo rather than immediate seizure.

Western governments say a shadow fleet of ageing tankers with opaque ownership, frequent name and flag changes, disabled tracking and ship-to-ship transfers helps Russia continue large-scale oil exports despite multiple rounds of sanctions and a price cap. France has stepped up enforcement after previous interdictions, and officials said information from onboard checks would be shared with European partners and relevant bodies. The case was referred to the Marseille prosecutor.

French authorities framed the action as part of broader efforts to uphold sanctions regimes aimed at limiting revenue for Russia’s war, while stressing they did not seek to escalate tensions. Military analysts say publicising the operation serves as both transparency and deterrence. Western interdictions have increased scrutiny of maritime routes in the Mediterranean, North Sea and Atlantic approaches, and NATO members have expanded monitoring of vessels linked to Russia amid concerns over sanctions evasion, security risks and environmental hazards.

Russian officials have dismissed shadow fleet allegations and condemned Western seizures as illegal, arguing Moscow is redirecting exports to willing buyers. French officials did not announce immediate enforcement measures following the boarding; results of documentation and cargo checks have not been released. The episode underscores the growing intersection of military operations, legal processes and commercial interests as states seek to enforce sanctions at sea.