Marseille: French authorities have grounded the oil tanker GRINCH, a vessel suspected of operating as part of Russia’s clandestine “shadow fleet,” at the Marseille-Fos port. The tanker is now under judicial investigation for potential violations of international sanctions imposed on Russian energy exports.
The French navy intercepted the GRINCH earlier this month in the western Mediterranean Sea, suspecting that it was transporting Russian crude oil while flying a false flag. The ship, registered under the Comoros flag, is believed to have been attempting to evade sanctions through opaque ownership structures and flag switching a tactic commonly used by vessels in the so-called “shadow fleet.”
According to French officials, the GRINCH departed from Murmansk, a key Russian Arctic port, in early January. French naval forces, supported by allied maritime surveillance assets, intercepted the vessel between the coasts of Spain and Morocco. The tanker was then escorted to Marseille-Fos port for further inspection. The operation marks one of the most visible European enforcement actions against Russia’s network of sanction-evasive oil carriers.
Military footage released by authorities shows naval personnel boarding the vessel and verifying its documents and cargo. Prosecutors have emphasized that the ship’s documentation appears suspicious, reinforcing the likelihood that it was attempting to circumvent Western trade restrictions.
The Indian captain of the GRINCH was initially taken into custody for questioning as part of the judicial investigation. He has since been released but remains under scrutiny, while other Indian crew members continue to be held onboard. Authorities are verifying the legality of the tanker’s flag and reviewing navigational records to determine whether international maritime law was breached.
The investigation highlights the complexity of prosecuting “shadow fleet” operations, as vessels often have convoluted ownership structures and frequently change registry flags to obscure their true nationality and purpose.
The GRINCH is believed to be part of a larger network of vessels collectively termed the “shadow fleet”, which allows Russia to continue exporting petroleum despite Western sanctions and price caps. These vessels often turn off tracking systems, operate under opaque ownership, and navigate outside insured shipping routes to avoid detection.
Western authorities, including the European Union and the United States, have attempted to monitor and sanction such vessels, but enforcement remains a significant challenge due to the fleet’s size and adaptability. Experts note that grounding the GRINCH represents a symbolic and strategic effort to signal that sanctions violations will not be tolerated.
French President Emmanuel Macron has affirmed that the operation against the GRINCH is fully compliant with international law, citing provisions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. While Russia has previously protested similar enforcement actions, officials maintain that European nations have the right to inspect and detain vessels suspected of evading sanctions.
The GRINCH case underscores the ongoing tension between sanctions enforcement and maritime loopholes exploited by Russia. Analysts warn that while individual interdictions are impactful, the broader shadow fleet network continues to pose challenges for global sanctions regimes.