French Authorities Arrest Grinch Tanker Sailing From Russia
- 28.01.2026, 23:54
- 1,458
The tanker was detained in the Mediterranean Sea.
French authorities have imposed an administrative arrest on the oil tanker Grinch, detained last week on suspicion of involvement in the Russian shadow fleet, according to a statement from the Marseille prosecutor's office, Le Figaro reports. The tanker's captain, an Indian national previously detained by French authorities, has been released and returned aboard.
Sudno is suspected of possibly being linked to exporting Russian oil to circumvent sanctions. It is being investigated by the French Maritime Gendarmerie under the supervision of the prosecutor's office.
The French Navy detained the Grinch tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on January 22, the country's President Emmanuel Macron said earlier. According to France's maritime prefecture, the tanker was traveling from Russia, presumably from Murmansk. After being detained, the vessel was sent to the port of Marseille-Fos.
The Marseille prosecutor's office said all crew members of the Grinch tanker are Indian nationals. Prosecutor Nicolas Besson says the investigation is aimed at establishing the authenticity of the tanker's flag and navigation documents.
BFMTV's source says the vessel was flying a false Comorian flag and may be linked to the Russian shadow fleet. The tanker was built in 2004 and was carrying oil products, mostly to China and India.
In December 2025, the European Union expanded sanctions against ships it attributes to the Russian shadow fleet. The list included 41 ships, while the total number of sanctioned vessels approached 600. Russia considers such measures illegal.
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