PARIS (AP) — The captain of an oil tanker named the Grinch, intercepted by the French navy in the Mediterranean Sea due to suspicions of shipping oil in violation of sanctions against Russia, is currently in custody for questioning. The Indian captain, aged 58, was handed over to judicial authorities following the diversion of the tanker and its arrival at anchorage in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer, as stated by the Marseille prosecutor's office.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Maritime Gendarmerie’s Investigation Unit located in Toulon, in collaboration with the Marseille Ship Safety Centre. The charges primarily concern the failure to display a valid flag, which is a significant regulatory requirement for maritime navigation. The crew members, who are also of Indian nationality, have remained on board the vessel during this inquiry.
The Grinch vessel had set sail from Murmansk, a port city in northwestern Russia, and is suspected to be part of the sanctioned Russian "shadow fleet." This shadow fleet is a network that allegedly consists of over 400 vessels employed to bypass international sanctions following Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. A dramatic video released by the French military captured the moment navy officials boarded the tanker using a helicopter earlier in the week.
Reports indicate that Russia has been utilizing this expansive fleet—composed of aging ships and tankers owned by obscure entities based in countries that do not impose sanctions—forcing them to operate under non-transparent flags. France and several other nations have expressed their commitment to intensifying efforts against this illicit maritime activity.
In a related incident, last September, French naval forces intercepted another oil tanker off the coast of France, which was also linked to the shadow fleet by President Emmanuel Macron. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned that action, referring to it as an act of piracy. Notably, the captain from that previous interception is expected to face trial in February due to allegations of the crew's outright refusal to cooperate with French authorities.
The French military's proactive operations and the legal actions being undertaken exemplify the ongoing challenges and complexities in enforcing international sanctions in the maritime domain, particularly against entities linked to Russia amidst the current geopolitical tensions. These efforts highlight the critical need for vigilance in international waters, especially as nations continue to grapple with the ramifications of Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
