/Reuters Agency
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, stated that it was “a positive thing” that his country was investigating an alleged infringement committed by the sanctioned oil tanker Boracay, suspected of belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet” involved in the trade of Russian fuels.
French authorities have remained reserved about the vessel, which is currently anchored near the western city of Saint Nazaire. The prosecutor of Brest reported that an investigation had been opened after the crew failed to present proof of the ship’s nationality or comply with orders, although he did not offer further details.
The Kremlin stated that it had no information about the vessel, but added that Russian military forces sometimes must act to restore order when foreign countries have taken what the spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as “provocative actions.”
Macron, speaking in Denmark during a summit of European Union leaders, pointed out that the collective assessment estimates that Russia’s “shadow fleet” consists of between 600 and 1,000 vessels.
The oil tankers in this fleet typically have unclear ownership and insurance and are often more than 20 years old.
The Boracay is listed in the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the European Union against Russia. It was detained by Estonian authorities earlier this year for sailing without a valid national flag.
The oil tanker departed from the Russian port of Primorsk on September 20, according to MarineTraffic data. It sailed through the Baltic Sea and passed north of Denmark before entering the North Sea and transiting west through the English Channel.
Ship tracking data shows that the unit, built in 2007, was being followed by a French warship after rounding the northwest tip of France, before changing course and heading towards the French coast.
