The French Navy detained the oil tanker Deliver in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily. Western countries consider it part of Russia's "shadow fleet." According to French authorities, the vessel was detained for violations of international maritime law.
Screenshot from video
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that this operation demonstrates the determination of European countries to counter schemes that allow Russia to circumvent international sanctions. According to him, Europe is not going to allow the use of the "shadow fleet" to finance Russian military actions.
La Marine Nationale a arraisonné mardi le pétrolier Deliver alors qu’il transitait au large de la Sicile en infraction avec le droit de la mer.
Cette nouvelle action contre la flotte fantôme, conduite quelques jours après une opération similaire par le Royaume-Uni… pic.twitter.com/5Gjn43MhLr
According to vessel tracking service data, the tanker Deliver sails under the flag of Cameroon. In early June, it departed from the Russian port of Primorsk and was heading to Singapore.
This is not the first instance of vessels linked to Russia's "shadow fleet" being detained. Recently, France, along with its allies, has carried out similar operations against several tankers. In some cases, after inspections or payment of fines, the vessels were released.
According to Western estimates, Russia's "shadow fleet" comprises over 700 tankers. Such vessels often use complex ownership structures, are registered under flags of various states, and change routes to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports.
Following previous detentions, some tankers began changing their routes to avoid increased scrutiny. Similar measures against "shadow fleet" vessels have previously been taken by the United Kingdom, Belgium, the USA, Estonia, and other Western countries.
"There were 240 of us in the group. Seven were captured. The rest are Cargo 200 (killed)." Andrei from Vitebsk, the 'can opener man', became one of the seven lucky ones 1818
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