France Investigates Oil Tanker Linked to Russian ‘Ghost Fleet,’ Detains Two
Brest, France – French authorities have launched a judicial examination into an oil tanker intercepted off the coast of Saint-Nazaire, in the Loire-Atlantique region, due to concerns over its nationality and lack of cooperation with investigators. The 244-meter vessel, currently flying a Benin flag but known as either “Pushpa” or “Boracay,” is suspected of belonging to the so-called “Russian Ghost Fleet” – a network of ships used by Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil exports.
Following a warning from the French National Navy, the investigation centers on “lack of justification of the nationality of the ship/pavilion” and “refusal to cooperate,” according to Brest attorney Stéphane Kellenberger. The ship’s commander and a key member of the crew are currently in police custody,Franceinfo reports.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated, “Very serious absences have been committed by this crew, which justify, actually, that the process will be judicialized today,” during a European summit in Copenhagen, without providing further specifics.
Macron also emphasized the financial meaning of the “Ghost Fleet,” stating it “represents tens of thousands of euros for the Russian budget.according to our estimates,it finances 40% of the Russian war effort. there are between 600 and 1000 ships that circulate and allow Russian hydrocarbons to be transported even when they are prohibited.”
The tanker is subject to sanctions not only from the European Union, but also from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, according to OpenSanctions.org. Built in 2007, the vessel has repeatedly changed its registration, previously being flagged in Gabon, the Marshall Islands, and Mongolia.
Authorities are also investigating a potential link between the oil tanker and a recent drone incursion into Danish airspace.The Maritime Executive reports the ship may have been used as a “drone launch platform” or “bait.” Macron urged “great prudence” regarding this possibility, noting the incident disrupted Danish air traffic and has not been officially attributed to Russia.
The investigation comes amid heightened security concerns in Europe. Danish Prime Minister Mette frederiksen, hosting the summit, warned that Europe is facing “the most arduous and dangerous situation since World War II,” characterizing the current situation as more severe then during the Cold war. She also expressed support for countermeasures against drones, emphasizing the need for a “right way” to address the threat.