French authorities have taken into custody the Indian captain of an oil tanker suspected of being part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to evade international sanctions, officials confirmed Sunday. The vessel was intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea and is now under close judicial scrutiny as tensions rise over enforcement of global oil export rules.
Tanker Intercepted, Captain Held for Questioning
On Thursday, the French navy stopped the oil tanker Grinch in Mediterranean waters, redirecting it to anchor off the port near Marseille under suspicion of involving sanctioned cargo and questionable operations.
Following the interception, the 58-year-old Indian captain was handed over to judicial authorities and is being questioned as part of a preliminary probe into whether the vessel falsely registered its flag and breached maritime regulations.
Investigators are examining the ship’s documentation and compliance with shipping laws amid concerns it may have been trying to conceal its identity to bypass sanctions.
Crew Remains on Board as Flag Status Under Review
While the captain faces custody, the rest of the crew — also Indian nationals — remain aboard the Grinch as authorities check the validity of the ship’s flag and navigation papers.
French prosecutors noted the tanker had departed from Murmansk, Russia, in early January and was flying under a Comoros flag, which is now under question.
This scrutiny reflects broader efforts by European nations to tighten enforcement of sanctions on oil shipments from Russia linked to its war in Ukraine.
Shadow Fleet Crackdown Escalates Amid Ongoing Sanctions
The Grinch is believed to be one of a network of vessels informally known as the “shadow fleet” — ships that allegedly help move crude oil around to avoid sanctions through opaque ownership and flagging strategies.
France has stepped up actions against such vessels, seizing tankers and investigating suspected sanctions evasion in coordination with international partners.
In a similar incident last year, French authorities also intercepted and briefly detained another flagged tanker amid allegations of sanctions circumvention.
