French prosecutors say Russia-linked tanker ‘Grinch’ beneath investigation after interception in western Mediterranean.
Printed On 24 Jan 2026
The French navy has diverted an oil tanker, suspected of being a part of Russia’s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet”, in the direction of the port of Marseille-Fos for additional investigation, in response to reviews.
The workplace of the prosecutor within the southern French metropolis of Marseille, which handles issues associated to maritime legislation and is investigating the case, stated on Friday that the ship had been diverted, however didn’t specify the place to.
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A supply near the case advised the AFP information company that the tanker is predicted to reach on Saturday morning on the port of Marseille-Fos in southern France.
The ‘Grinch ‘ tanker was intercepted by French naval forces on Thursday whereas on the excessive seas within the western Mediterranean, between the southern coast of Spain and the northern coast of Morocco, France’s maritime police stated in a press release.
It added that navies of different international locations, together with Britain, supported the operation.
Video footage launched by the French army of the operation confirmed a unit of troopers descending from a helicopter onto the deck of the Russia-linked ship. The boarding of the vessel concerned a navy boat and two navy helicopters, in response to reviews.
The Grinch, which was crusing beneath a Comoros flag, left the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk in early January and is suspected of working beneath a false flag and of belonging to the secretive fleet of ships that allows Russia to export oil all over the world regardless of worldwide sanctions as a result of Moscow’s conflict on Ukraine.
The AFP information company reported {that a} ship referred to as “Grinch” is beneath United Kingdom sanctions, whereas one other named “Carl” – with the identical registration quantity – is sanctioned by america and European Union.
Prosecutors in Marseille stated they had been investigating the ship’s alleged failure to substantiate its nationality.
The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions in opposition to Russia, however Moscow has tailored to most measures and continues to promote thousands and thousands of barrels of oil to international locations comparable to India and China, sometimes at discounted costs.
A lot of the oil, which is essential to financing its conflict in Ukraine, is carried by what is called a shadow fleet of vessels working exterior of Western maritime business laws.
In October, France detained one other Russian-linked sanctioned tanker, the Boracay, off its west coast and launched it after a couple of days.
The Boracay’s Chinese language captain is to face trial in France in February over the crew’s alleged refusal to cooperate with investigators, in response to French judicial authorities.
