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France Holds Suspected Shadow‑Fleet Tanker Off Marseille After Captain Taken Into Custody

Prosecutors have opened a false‑flagging probe tied to a wider clampdown on Russia’s so‑called shadow fleet.

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The silhouette of a French navy boat surrounding the GRINCH oil tanker, intercepted by France in the Alboran Sea on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to Russia's shadow fleet that enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions, and diverted to the port of Marseille-Fos, in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer, near Martigues, France, January 25, 2026. REUTERS/Manon Cruz
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The Grinch was intercepted in international waters between Spain and North Africa

Overview

  • The French navy intercepted the 249‑metre tanker Grinch on Thursday in international waters between Spain and North Africa and escorted it to the Gulf of Fos.
  • The vessel is anchored about 500 meters off Martigues under naval and gendarmerie guard, with nautical and air exclusion zones in place.
  • The Marseille prosecutor is conducting a preliminary investigation for failure to fly a flag, and prosecutors said the Indian captain is in custody while the Indian crew remains on board.
  • Authorities cited registration discrepancies, with media reports saying the ship was flying the Comoros flag, and investigators are checking ownership and registration.
  • Officials say the tanker appears on UK, EU and US sanctions lists under different names, and the case follows France’s September detention of the Boracay as the EU targets hundreds of suspected shadow‑fleet ships.