France detains captain of oil tanker from Russia's stealth fleet
On Sunday, French authorities announced the arrest of an Indian captain in charge of the oil tanker "Greenwich," on suspicion that the ship belonged to what is known globally as the Russian "ghost fleet," and for committing a serious violation by sailing without displaying any flag identifying its identity.
Official sources stated that the French Navy intercepted the tanker, captained by a 58-year-old man, in the Mediterranean Sea last Thursday. The vessel was escorted on Saturday to the Bay of Fos in southern France, where it is currently anchored under heavy guard near Marseille, approximately 500 meters off the coast of Martigues, surrounded by French gendarmerie and navy vessels.
What is the Russian "ghost fleet"?
This incident brings renewed attention to the phenomenon of the "ghost fleet," which emerged strongly following the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. This fleet consists of hundreds of aging oil tankers assembled by Moscow or its allies to circumvent Western sanctions and export Russian oil at prices exceeding the price ceiling set by the G7 and the European Union ($60 per barrel).
These vessels typically employ sophisticated tactics to evade detection and tracking, such as constantly changing flags, sailing under the flags of countries that do not adhere to strict standards, or even sailing without a flag, as in the case of the tanker "Greenwich." They also frequently disable their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to conceal their true locations and engage in ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea to obscure the origin of their cargoes.
Environmental risks and security challenges
This type of vessel is causing increasing international concern, not only because it violates economic sanctions, but also because of the serious environmental threat it poses. Most of these "ghost fleet" vessels are dilapidated and lack regular maintenance, and they are often not covered by internationally recognized insurance (P&I Clubs). This means that in the event of an oil spill or collision in the Mediterranean Sea or other narrow waterways, there may be no entity responsible for the cleanup and compensation costs, raising the specter of potential environmental disasters.
Tightening the European grip
The arrest of the captain and the seizure of the tanker in France signal a move by European countries toward stricter enforcement of maritime laws and sanctions against Moscow. The Marseille public prosecutor's office confirmed that investigations are underway, and the ship's crew, all of Indian nationality, will remain on board pending legal proceedings. This action sends a clear message that attempts to circumvent international law in European territorial waters will be met with firm action.
