The Straits Times, citing RIA, reports Russia’s objection to France’s seizure of the alleged shadow-fleet tanker.
The Straits Times, citing RIA, reports that Russia called the French seizure of an alleged shadow-fleet tanker a violation of international law.
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French military forces intercepted and boarded the tanker DF Peak on Oct. 12 about 450 nautical miles south of Réunion, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. President Emmanuel Macron said the vessel was suspected of sailing under a false flag and taking part in illicit fuel transportation connected to Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
French army spokesperson Col. Xavier Rival said officials still had doubts about the vessel's flag after inspecting it. A public prosecutor ordered the tanker to proceed toward Réunion for further examination, Reuters reported.
The ship was previously named Kaliningrad and was sailing under the flag of Benin. It was sanctioned by the United States, Britain and the European Union in 2024, according to Reuters.
USNI News reported that the boarding team found irregularities in the ship's documents. The outlet, citing the French prefect of Réunion, said the vessel was being escorted to an anchorage off the island while its 21 crew members remained aboard under French military supervision.
The tanker was partially loaded and had been recorded off Madagascar on Oct. 12, with Guanta, Venezuela, listed as its previous port, Reuters said. The report did not identify the cargo.
The term “shadow fleet” generally refers to older tankers operating outside mainstream shipping networks to move Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Reuters reported that such vessels often lack conventional insurance or safety certification and use changing flags to obscure their ownership, cargo and movements.
France's action reflects a broader European push to inspect vessels suspected of using false flag registrations. The specific allegations against DF Peak remain under examination.
Russia's embassy in France, quoted by the state news agency RIA, called the seizure “piracy” and a blatant violation of international law. The embassy said France had not notified it and that it was trying to determine whether any Russian citizens were among the crew.
The legal dispute centers partly on Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. USNI News reported that the provision allows warships to verify a vessel's right to fly its flag, while Russia argues that it does not authorize authorities to divert and detain a ship. No final legal determination was reported.
@straits_timesRussia calls French seizure of alleged shadow fleet tanker a violation of international law, RIA reports https://bit.ly/4jNpn7K@straits_timesRussia calls French seizure of alleged shadow fleet tanker a violation of international law, RIA reports https://bit.ly/4jNpn7K@straits_timesRussia calls French seizure of alleged shadow fleet tanker a violation of international law, RIA reports https://bit.ly/4jNpn7K@straits_timesRussia calls French seizure of alleged shadow fleet tanker a violation of international law, RIA reports https://bit.ly/4jNpn7K
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