France intercepted a Russia-linked oil tanker off the coast of Sicily earlier this week, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday. The French navy boarded the vessel, named Deliver, on Tuesday as it passed near Sicily, citing a breach of the law of the sea.
Details of the Interception
According to Macron's statement on X, the Deliver was flying the Cameroonian flag and had sailed from Primorsk in Russia. Maritime authorities confirmed that the tanker was being escorted by the French navy to an anchorage for further inspections. This operation is part of broader efforts to counter Russia's so-called “shadow fleet,” which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Macron emphasized France's determination to enforce sanctions, stating, “We will not allow the ‘shadow fleet’ to circumvent sanctions and finance Russia’s war effort.” The vessels in this fleet often engage in “flag-hopping,” frequently changing their flags or using invalid registrations to avoid detection.
Previous Interceptions and Sanctions
Since September, France has boarded four other ships believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, including one in late May in the Atlantic Ocean with assistance from Britain and other partners. Western countries have imposed sanctions on hundreds of vessels linked to this fleet. Nearly 600 ships suspected of being part of Russia's shadow fleet are currently subject to European Union sanctions.
The interception of the Deliver underscores ongoing international efforts to disrupt Moscow's ability to evade economic penalties and fund its military operations in Ukraine.
