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France releases suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker after 'several million euro' fine
The tanker Grinch, part of Russia's shadow fleet evading sanctions, was released after paying a fine of several million euros and nearly four weeks of detention in French waters.
- After a Marseille court ruling, the oil tanker Grinch departed French waters on Tuesday after its owning company entered a guilty plea and paid a penalty of several million euros.
- Western sanctions after 2022 and stepped-up enforcement have pressured operators, as Moscow's shadow fleet uses aged tankers with opaque ownership and changing flags to evade detection.
- Vessel records show the ship left Murmansk and flew a Comoros registration; the Grinch spent three weeks immobilised at Fos-sur-Mer and was likely old and poorly maintained.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the Grinch was leaving French waters on Tuesday after paying several million euros, while Moscow denounced the move, saying no state has the right to use force against properly registered vessels.
- Enforcement actions and court fines signal tangible costs for evading sanctions, as European authorities and courts impose penalties under guilty-plea procedures on owner companies, with TankerTrackers.com reporting 1,468 vessels in the shadow fleet.
42 Articles
42 Articles
France Releases Grinch ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker After Multimillion-Euro Fine
France freed a suspected Russian “shadow fleet” tanker after a huge fine as a senior Kremlin aide warned that Moscow could deploy its navy to prevent European countries from seizing Russian ships.
PARIS (AP) — French authorities have released an oil tanker intercepted last month in the Mediterranean Sea, suspected of being part of Russia’s ghost fleet transporting oil in violation of international sanctions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Tuesday in a post on X that the tanker, dubbed the Grinch, will leave French waters after paying a fine of “several million euros” and following “three weeks of costly detention.” “Evading…
France is putting an end to the fixed oil tanker "Grinch" after payment of a penalty of several million euros.
France released a suspected oiler who became part of Russia's "fantom fleet" - known as "Grinch" - after his owner paid a few million euros, declared a minister, according to France24. Their French forces and allies intercepted the oil last month between Spain and Morocco.
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