The French Navy reported that the country's authorities are investigating a legal violation by the oil tanker Boracay under the Benin flag, which is under European Union and UK sanctions and is part of the 'shadow fleet', writes Reuters. According to the data, on September 20, it departed from the Russian port of Primorsk, sailed through the Baltic Sea and over Denmark, then entered the North Sea and sailed west through the English Channel. It was accompanied by a French warship after rounding the northwest part of France, then changed course and headed east towards the French coast.
According to the publication, the crude oil tanker is currently anchored off the Atlantic coast of western France, near Saint-Nazaire.
Earlier this year, the vessel was detained by Estonian authorities for sailing without a valid country flag.
The prosecutor's office told the agency that the investigation was initiated after the crew failed to provide proof of the vessel's citizenship and did not comply with orders. The EU stated that the vessel was involved in transporting Russian oil and oil products, 'using irregular and risky shipping methods'.
When sanctions were imposed, the UK stated that the vessel was 'engaged in activities aimed at or resulting in the destabilization of Ukraine ... or benefiting or supporting the Russian government' when transporting oil or oil products of Russian origin from Russia to a third country.