The oil tanker Deliver has been brought to the waters near Marseille, in the Fos Bay of the Bouches-du-Rhône department. The vessel, suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' was previously detained by the French Navy off the coast of Sicily. Currently, the tanker is anchored under heavy guard and has been handed over to the Marseille prosecutor's office for investigative proceedings.
Violation of Maritime Law and False Flag
The basis for the detention was an investigation into illegal shipping activities. French law enforcement authorities established that the vessel was sailing under the flag of Cameroon, although the corresponding registration had been annulled several weeks prior. Since the tanker was de facto stateless, the actions of the French side were deemed lawful under international maritime law.
Sanctions Context and Detention Statistics
The incident involving the tanker Deliver is part of a large-scale campaign to monitor compliance with sanctions against Russian oil exports. This is already the ninth vessel detained in Europe since the beginning of 2026 on suspicion of attempting to circumvent restrictions.
In early June, the European Union authorized the naval operation IRINI to stop and inspect suspicious vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. Previously, European lawmakers had repeatedly called for stricter inspections, noting that Russia's aging 'shadow fleet' not only finances military operations but also creates serious environmental risks.
Reactions from the Parties
The Russian Embassy in France reacted sharply to the detention, calling the actions of the French authorities 'piracy' and a gross violation of international law. Meanwhile, Paris insists on the full legality of its actions, citing the vessel's lack of valid registration documents and the necessity of preventing violations of the sanctions regime.