Italian-led EU force boards sanctioned tanker from Russia's 'shadow fleet' in Mediterranean
The two-hour operation checked the tanker’s nationality and documents as Italy and EU forces monitored sanctions compliance and suspected oil trafficking.
- On Sunday, August 2, the Italian navy boarded the Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker Toa Payoh in international waters near Pantelleria to verify its nationality and flag registration.
- The inspection occurred under Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, a European Union mission tasked with monitoring arms and oil trafficking in the Mediterranean.
- After the tanker's master initially refused cooperation, Italian personnel deployed via helicopter from the ship Thaon di Revel, supported by Greek and Polish assets in compliance with the United Nations Convention.
- Defence Minister Guido Crosetto praised the operation as "a concrete demonstration of Italy's contribution to the security of the Mediterranean," congratulating the crew for their professionalism.
- The Toa Payoh, which claims to fly a Cameroon flag while en route from Cotonou, Benin, to Istanbul, is undergoing documentation review by Italian authorities.
95 Articles
95 Articles
Italian forces board suspected ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker
An EU naval mission led by Italy boarded a tanker from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” on Sunday, the second such operation in less than two weeks as Europe intensifies scrutiny of vessels suspected of helping Moscow circumvent oil sanctions.Italy’s Defence Ministry said the Toa Payoh, a tanker su
Italian Navy Boards Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker During EU Mission In Mediterranean
Image Credits: Ministero Difesa The Italian navy has boarded a tanker linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” in international waters near Pantelleria in the Mediterranean as part of a European Union mission to check the vessel’s nationality and flag status. The tanker Toa Payoh, which is under European Union sanctions, was intercepted west of Pantelleria, an Italian island located between Sicily and Tunisia. The vessel was sailing under the…
Sanctioned Russian shadow fleet stopped, not seized? Europe shows up with muscle but can't detain it
The European Union has stepped up enforcement of sanctions targeting Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," with an EU naval mission boarding the tanker Toa Payoh in the Mediterranean. According to reports, the Italy-led EUNAVFOR MED operation, supported by Greek and Polish military assets, inspected the vessel's registration documents and flag status after it reportedly switched to a Cameroonian flag. The inspection lasted about two hours, and the …
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