France Releases Suspected Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker After Fine

Feb 17, 2026 France

France France, Russia, Oil & Gas industry, Sanctions

France releases suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker after fine paid, highlighting efforts to combat sanctions-busting operations.

France Releases Suspected Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker

France has released an oil tanker, Grinch, suspected to be part of Russia's shadow fleet following its owner paying a fine. The vessel, seized by French forces in the Mediterranean, departed after a financial settlement and three weeks of immobilization at Fos-sur-Mer. This move underscores France's commitment to combating shadow fleets used to evade Western sanctions on Russian oil exports.

By news 4 months ago