On September 30, 2025, the French Navy intercepted and controlled the 110,000-ton tanker “BORACAY” (also known as “Boracay”) flying the Benin flag on the Atlantic coast (near the port of Brest). The ship departed from Russia and was carrying 750,000 barrels of crude oil to India. It was detained due to missing ship registration information, suspicious navigation route, and connection with Russia’s “Shadow Fleet”. The captain and mate were taken away for questioning.
On October 1, French President Macron publicly stated that the tanker had made a “very serious mistake” and confirmed that it was linked to Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” – this fleet of old tankers evaded Western sanctions against Russia by frequently changing its name, hanging “flags of convenience”, and cutting off positioning signals, thus providing blood transfusions for Russia’s war.
French prosecutors have pointed out that the tanker is also suspected of being involved in the recent drone disruption incident in Denmark and is currently being held in the French port of Saint-Nazaire, under a “soft blockade.” This move marks the first time France has used force to seize a suspected “shadow fleet” tanker in its own waters since EU sanctions against Russia. Russia has protested, calling it an act of piracy.
