French authorities have allowed the oil tanker GRINCH to depart their territorial waters after the owning company paid a significant fine amounting to “several million euros.” This move comes as part of ongoing efforts to enforce European sanctions against Russia, as stated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. He emphasized that evading these sanctions has consequences, ensuring that Russia cannot continue to finance its military activities through clandestine operations near French shores.
The GRINCH, which was apprehended in the Mediterranean last month, was suspected of being part of a “ghost fleet” that facilitates oil exports from Russia despite the existing restrictions. The vessel, flagged under Comoros, had departed from the Russian port of Murmansk earlier this January. Following its seizure, it was anchored off the coast of Marseille.
French authorities indicated that the vessel’s owners were penalized for failing to adequately justify the use of the Comoros flag. This incident underscores the heightened scrutiny on maritime activities linked with Russia, as international bodies work diligently to curb the economic support for its ongoing conflict.
