In a significant development regarding maritime sanctions, French authorities have formally charged the captain of the oil tanker Boracay. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet,’ a group of tankers allegedly used to circumvent international sanctions imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The captain, a Chinese national, faces a charge of refusing to comply with instructions from the French navy. He has been ordered to appear in court in Brest next February. The Boracay, which was off the coast of Denmark when unidentified drones disrupted air traffic, was boarded by French soldiers earlier this week. It had previously been flagged by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid country flag.
The French prosecutor’s office noted that the captain could not provide a clear explanation regarding the ship’s nationality. He and another Chinese national, identified as the second captain, were detained. While the second captain has since been released without charges, the investigation into the ship’s activities and its alleged connection to sanctions evasion continues. The Boracay is currently anchored near the port of Saint-Nazaire.
International maritime law permits naval forces to intercept merchant vessels if there’s a reasonable suspicion they lack a nationality. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by Western nations to enforce sanctions on Russian energy, including import restrictions and price caps.
Russia is understood to operate a substantial ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers, estimated by French President Emmanuel Macron to range between 600 and 1,000 ships, to obscure ownership and movements and continue exporting oil. The Boracay’s journey, originating from Russia on 20 September and passing through the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and English Channel, underscores the complex global network involved in oil transportation.
The recent disruption of Danish airspace by drones, which occurred while the Boracay was in the vicinity, has raised further questions, though Danish authorities have stated there is no current evidence linking Russia to these incidents. Similar airspace violations have been reported in Poland, Estonia, and Romania, prompting discussions on European security.
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