Russia-linked tanker seized by France arrives in Marseille
Several European countries have targeted Moscow's "shadow fleet", which is used to transport oil in breach of Western sanctions imposed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
The Mozambican-flagged oil tanker "Deyna", suspected of belonging to the Russian's shadow fleet, is seen outside the coast of Martigues near the port of Marseille-Fos on Mars 23, 2026, as it's surveilled by the French Navy. (Photo by AFP)
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MARSEILLE — The authorities in Marseille took control of an oil tanker suspected of sanctions busting on Monday after it arrived in the southern French port days after it was intercepted for being part of a "shadow fleet" used by Russia to export its oil.
Several European countries have targeted Moscow's "shadow fleet", which is used to transport oil in breach of Western sanctions imposed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
The Deyna, a 250-metre-long vessel that set sail from Murmansk in Russia's far northwest under a Mozambican flag, is under EU sanctions and is the third such tanker intercepted by France in recent months.
"It will be anchored and kept at the disposal of the public prosecutor's office in Marseille," as part of a preliminary investigation, according to a joint statement from the Bouches-du-Rhone and Mediterranean Maritime prefectures.
The Deyna was intercepted on Friday with the help of Britain near Spain's Balearic Islands and formally accused of irregularities with its registration.
President Emmanuel Macron said at the time tankers transporting oil for Russia were "profiteers of war" and pledged to keep up the pressure on Moscow, despite global attention being distracted by the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The United States has eased restrictions on Russia's oil sales as it tries to stabilise global energy markets -- a decision Macron criticised.
French forces impounded another suspected Russian tanker, the Grinch, in January, though the ship was later allowed to sail on after its owner paid a multi-million-euro fine.
Another tanker, the Boracay, was seized by France in September and the Chinese captain was put on trial in absentia for failing to follow orders to stop the ship.
Other European nations have also ramped up efforts to seize Russia-linked vessels.
Belgian special forces intercepted a tanker in the North Sea earlier this month, and the Swedish coast guard arrested the Russian captain of another vessel on suspicion of forging documents.
Nearly 600 vessels suspected of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" are subject to European Union sanctions.