French authorities have allowed the tanker Deyna, linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” to leave the port of Marseille, Maritima reported. On April 16, the vessel put to sea and headed for international waters.
The decision followed a Marseille court hearing on a claim against the owner company over the use of a “flag of convenience.” The shipowner failed to prove the legality of using the Mozambican flag under which the vessel had been sailing. As a result, the court imposed a fine, though its amount has not been disclosed. The tanker’s owner said it was ready to remedy the violations as quickly as possible.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the detention of the Deyna, which had been sailing from Murmansk under the Mozambican flag, on March 20. He said the vessel belonged to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” violating sanctions and maritime law. Macron stressed that France would not allow such ships to be used to generate revenue from Russian oil exports that help finance the war against Ukraine.
European states have repeatedly detained “shadow fleet” tankers carrying Russian oil in circumvention of Western restrictions, but in most cases such vessels are later released.