French judicial authorities have taken into custody the Indian captain of an oil tanker intercepted by naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea amid allegations of violating international sanctions against Russia. The vessel ‘Grinch,’ which originated from Murmansk in northwestern Russia, has been identified as a potential member of Russia’s sanctioned ‘shadow fleet’ operating to circumvent economic restrictions related to the Ukraine conflict.
According to statements from the Marseille prosecutor’s office obtained by French media outlets, the captain was transferred to judicial authorities after the tanker was diverted to anchorage in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer. The entire Indian-nationality crew remains confined aboard the vessel while investigators conduct a preliminary inquiry into maritime regulation violations, including failure to properly display national flags.
The interception operation, documented through military-released footage, involved French naval personnel boarding the ship via helicopter earlier this week. This action represents the latest in a series of enforcement measures targeting Russia’s estimated 400-vessel shadow fleet, which predominantly consists of aging tankers owned by opaque entities registered in non-sanctioning countries.
This incident echoes a similar September interception off France’s Atlantic coast, which Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned as ‘piracy.’ The captain from that previous seizure faces trial in February regarding allegations of non-cooperation with authorities. France and allied nations have intensified maritime surveillance and enforcement operations to disrupt Russia’s oil transportation networks amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.