French authorities are investigating a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” the French Navy announced Tuesday.
The Benin-flagged vessel Boracay, currently anchored near Saint-Nazaire off France’s Atlantic coast, is under investigation by the Brest prosecutor’s office after its crew could not verify the vessel’s nationality and did not comply with official orders, according to authorities.
“Following a suspected offence by the vessel Boracay, a report was made to the relevant public prosecutor’s office in Brest. An investigation is underway,” the French Navy said in a statement.
The crude oil tanker is subject to sanctions imposed by both the European Union and the United Kingdom. The EU sanctioned the vessel in February 2025 for transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products “while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices.” Britain imposed sanctions in October 2024, stating the vessel was involved in activities to “destabilize Ukraine” or “support the government of Russia.”
According to ship tracking data, the 2007-built tanker departed the Russian port of Primorsk on Sept. 20, transited through the Baltic Sea and over Denmark, then traveled through the North Sea and English Channel. Tracking data shows the vessel changed course toward the French coast after passing France’s northwestern tip, with a French warship monitoring its movements.
The vessel, which carries IMO identification number 9332810, was previously named Kiwala and changed its name to Boracay in December 2024. It appears as Pushpa in some shipping databases.
This is not the vessel’s first detention. Estonian authorities seized the same tanker in April 2025 for sailing without a valid country flag while en route from India to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. Estonia released the vessel after Djibouti agreed to temporarily register it.
Related: Finland Seizes Suspected Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker After Cable Damage
Shadow fleet vessels typically operate with opaque ownership structures, unclear insurance coverage, and are often more than 20 years old. These ships are used to circumvent international sanctions on Russian oil exports.
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