Belgium seizes Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker

Belgian authorities have intercepted and boarded an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels used to bypass international sanctions on Russian oil exports. The operation was confirmed by Theo Francken, who said Belgian armed forces carried out the boarding with support from French military units.

The tanker, named Ethera, was stopped and escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where officials plan to seize the vessel. According to Belgian prosecutors, the ship appeared to be sailing under the flag of Guinea, but investigators suspect the flag was falsely registered.

Authorities confirmed that an onboard inspection uncovered additional signs of irregularities. Documents discovered on the vessel are believed to be falsified, strengthening suspicions that the tanker was operating under a “false flag,” a practice that violates international maritime regulations. Prosecutors said the tanker had been heading back toward Russia when it was intercepted.

The operation is part of broader European efforts to crack down on Russia’s shadow fleet, which has grown since Western countries imposed a price cap on Russian oil exports following the invasion of Ukraine. The fleet often uses tactics such as disabling satellite tracking systems, manipulating ship transponders, or transferring oil between vessels at sea to hide the origin of shipments.

Emmanuel Macron praised the joint operation, describing it as “a major blow” to the shadow fleet. He said European countries remain determined to enforce sanctions and reduce the revenue Russia uses to fund its war in Ukraine.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever also congratulated the military, thanking France for its cooperation and stressing Belgium’s commitment to protecting its territorial waters and upholding international maritime law.

Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move, calling it a strong step against what he described as Moscow’s “floating purse.”

The Russian embassy in Brussels said it had not yet received official notification of the tanker boarding and is investigating whether any Russian citizens were on board.

Original Source: https://www.dw.com/

Key Takeaways

• Belgium and France intercepted a tanker linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and escorted it to Zeebrugge for seizure.

• Authorities say the vessel Ethera used a suspected false flag and falsified documents, violating international maritime rules.

• European leaders say the operation targets Russia’s attempts to bypass oil sanctions funding the war in Ukraine.