France boards another Russian shadow fleet tanker off Sicily

France has intercepted another Russia-linked tanker, stepping up Europe’s campaign against the shadow fleet Moscow uses to move oil and gas around Western sanctions. French president Emmanuel Macron said yesterday the country’s navy boarded the tanker Deliver on Tuesday as it transited near Sicily. Footage released by the president showed French marines descending from helicopters onto the vessel. “This new action against the shadow fleet, conducted days after a similar operation by Britain, shows Europeans’ determination,” Macron said. “We will not let the shadow fleet evade sanctions and finance the Russian war effort.” The Deliver was reported to be sailing under the Cameroonian flag and to have departed from Primorsk, one of Russia’s main Baltic oil export terminals. French authorities are understood to be examining suspected irregularities linked to the vessel’s status and documentation. The operation marks at least the fifth French interception of a tanker Paris alleges is connected to Russia’s shadow fleet. Russia has repeatedly condemned such actions, describing previous interceptions as illegal and likening them to piracy. Sam Chambers Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune. Read Next June 26, 2026 PSA and Logtainer move ahead with Padua intermodal terminal June 26, 2026 DOF books three-year subsea vessel charter June 26, 2026 Hormuz reopening plans thrown into doubt after Evergreen boxship attack June 26, 2026 90 days to Splash Singapore June 26, 2026 Splash Wrap: Hormuz hope dashed Back to top button