In a coordinated international effort, French naval forces intercepted the oil tanker Grinch in the western Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, acting on intelligence provided by United Kingdom authorities. The vessel, suspected of operating under a false Comoros Islands flag while transporting Russian oil, was escorted to anchorage near Almeria, Spain for comprehensive inspection.
The operation represents the latest escalation in Western efforts to dismantle Russia’s sanction-evasion network known as the ‘shadow fleet’ – estimated to comprise over 400 aging vessels owned by opaque entities registered in non-sanctioning countries. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly endorsed the mission, stating the interception demonstrates France’s determination to ‘uphold international law and ensure effective enforcement of sanctions’ against Russian oil revenues funding the Ukraine conflict.
According to French military officials speaking anonymously, the Grinch had departed from Murmansk in northwestern Russia and was crewed by Indian nationals. This marks the second such interception in recent months, following September’s boarding of the Pushpa/Boracay tanker off the French Atlantic coast – an action Russian President Vladimir Putin previously condemned as ‘piracy’ intended to distract from domestic French issues.
The captured tanker’s captain faces trial in February 2024 for alleged non-cooperation with authorities, as France and allied nations intensify pressure on flag-registry countries to facilitate easier boarding of suspected sanction-busting vessels.