An oil tanker believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” has entered a French port after being detained by the French navy on suspicion of operating under a false flag, an AFP reporter said on Tuesday.
The vessel, identified as the Tagor, was boarded by French naval forces in international waters on Sunday with support from Britain after its Russian captain allegedly refused to comply with orders from authorities. French officials said the ship was suspected of flying a fake Cameroonian flag and was en route from Murmansk in northwestern Russia to Limbe in Cameroon when it was intercepted.
According to French authorities, the tanker is linked to a shipping network used to transport Russian or Iranian oil in violation of Western sanctions. The ship reportedly entered the Bay of Douarnenez in the Brittany region after being escorted into port.
This is the fourth vessel France has detained since September last year over suspicions of belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of ships believed to evade sanctions by frequently changing flags or using invalid registrations.
The Kremlin has strongly criticized the seizure, calling it “international piracy.” Meanwhile, French officials said such operations are part of broader efforts to enforce sanctions and curb illegal maritime trade linked to the Ukraine conflict.
Previous similar cases include the detention of tankers Deyna and Grinch, which were later released after paying fines. France has also tightened measures against non-compliant vessels, including increased penalties for ships that refuse to follow maritime regulations.
Western countries continue to impose sanctions on hundreds of vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with nearly 600 ships currently under European Union sanctions.