The French Navy has seized the Russian-linked crude oil tanker M/T GRINCH near the Strait of Gibraltar, describing it as a sanctioned, stateless “shadow fleet” vessel that was falsely flying the flag of Comoros.
According to European maritime authorities, the GRINCH had departed the Arctic port of Murmansk in northern Russia earlier this month and was likely heading toward the Suez Canal when it was intercepted between Spain and Morocco.
The tanker has now been placed under French control and is being escorted to the port of Marseille for inspection and possible sanctions-enforcement action, with reported support from British and US assets involved in tracking and coordination.
