France releases suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker following fine

A tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's so-called “shadow fleet” has left the southern French port of Marseille after being held for several weeks by French authorities. France is one of several European countries that have imposed sanctions on Russian vessels over the war in Ukraine.

The vessel, named the Deyna, departed Marseille after its owner paid a fine and admitted to failing to provide proof of the vessel's nationality, the maritime prefecture and prosecutors said on Thursday.

The undisclosed fine was settled on Wednesday and the tanker promptly left French waters, they said. Tracking data on Thursday showed it in the Mediterranean, with China listed as its destination.

The Deyna, sailing from north-west Russia under a Mozambican flag, was intercepted in the Mediterranean on 20 March. The French navy seized it with assistance from the UK on suspicion of flying a false flag.

The case highlights how European governments are stepping up scrutiny of shipping practices linked to Russia's oil exports.

Western countries have imposed sanctions on hundreds of vessels believed to form part of Russia's “shadow fleet” – an unofficial network of ships used to keep oil flowing despite restrictions introduced after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

They often rely on evasive tactics, including frequently changing flags, or using questionable registrations to obscure their origins and ownership.

Dark vessels: how Russia steers clear of Western sanctions with a shadow fleet

French crackdown

Across the European Union, nearly 600 ships are currently subject to sanctions.

France has now boarded three vessels since September on suspicion of links to Russia.

In January, French forces detained another suspected tanker, the Grinch, which was later released after its owner paid a multi-million-euro fine.

In a separate ruling in March, a French court handed a one-year prison sentence in absentia and a €150,000 fine to the Chinese captain of the tanker Boracay for failing to comply with orders to halt his vessel.

France is considering tougher measures. A draft law seen by news agency AFP proposes doubling penalties for ships that breach registration rules.

The bill would make failing to fly the correct flag or refusing to comply with orders to stop the ship punishable with up to two years in prison and a fine of €300,000. The maximum sentence would increase to seven years in prison and a fine of €700,000 should the lives of the individuals boarding the vessel be put at risk.

(with newswires)