Seizure of the Oil Tanker Deliver
On Tuesday, June 25, 2026, the French Navy intercepted and detained the oil tanker Deliver off the coast of Sicily. The vessel, which was sailing under the flag of Cameroon, had departed from the Russian port of Primorsk. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the operation, stating it was part of efforts to combat Russia's so-called shadow fleet—a network of vessels used to evade international sanctions and regulations.
“On Tuesday, the French Navy detained the oil tanker Deliver, which was passing off the coast of Sicily in violation of maritime law.” - Emmanuel Macron
This incident took place just days after British Armed Forces, working alongside the National Crime Agency (NCA), seized another oil tanker named Smyrtos. That vessel was also identified as part of the Russian shadow fleet. These back-to-back actions highlight a growing international push to disrupt illicit maritime activities and clandestine operations in the region.
International Cooperation Against Illegal Shipping
The detention of the Deliver and the earlier seizure of the Smyrtos underscore an expanding collaboration among European nations—particularly France and the United Kingdom—to counter illegal shipping linked to Russia. These moves reflect a broader effort to curb shadow operations that pose risks to global security and the integrity of maritime commerce. Such crackdowns on the shadow fleet are likely to have significant repercussions for political and economic dynamics in the region.
In a related development, French authorities have intensified their crackdown on maritime operations linked to Russia, recently resulting in the arrest of a captain associated with the shadow fleet. This action further illustrates the commitment of European nations to combat illegal shipping practices. For more details on this significant arrest and its implications, read our article on the captain's apprehension.