According to recent reports, French authorities have arrested the captain and the first officer of the Boracay, an oil tanker on the European Union’s blacklist. This event occurs amid investigations into possible connections with the mysterious drone incidents that affected Denmark last week.
The arrests were confirmed by the prosecutor of Brest, Stephane Kellenberger, following a naval operation in which the 244-meter Aframax was boarded. The investigation focuses on the “failure to justify the ship’s nationality” and the “lack of cooperation” from its crew.
During a European summit held in Copenhagen, President Emmanuel Macron underlined the seriousness of the case. “Serious crimes have been committed by the crew, which justifies the current legal actions,” stated Macron. However, he was also cautious not to establish a direct link between the ship and the unauthorized flights that disrupted Danish airport operations between September 22 and 25.
The Boracay has been under sanctions imposed by the EU and the UK since February due to its involvement in activities related to illegal Russian oil exports. It recently sailed from Primorsk to Vadinar, India, carrying Ural crude.
Danish authorities have pointed to the Boracay as one of three ships potentially involved in drone-related operations that caused temporary closures of the capital’s airport. Notably, during a night incident on September 22, this oil tanker was located about 70 nautical miles from Copenhagen; hours earlier it had changed its Malawian flag for a Beninese one and altered its previous name as part of the characteristic pattern associated with clandestinely operated vessels.
Since its construction in 2007, the Boracay has had four different registered owners and has changed both its name and flag five times during the last three years according to data provided by Windward.
