PARIS, France, Jan 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A tanker suspected of being part of Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" will be escorted to the French port of Marseille-Fos, sources close to the case said Friday, a day after the navy intercepted it. French forces, with the help of allies, boarded the oil tanker called "Grinch" on Thursday between Spain and Morocco, after it started its journey from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that the French Navy, with the support of allies, had intercepted a vessel "subject to international sanctions" and suspected of flying a false flag. A ship called "Grinch" is under UK sanctions, while another called "Carl" with the same registration number is sanctioned by the United States and European Union. The vessel is suspected of being part of a shadow fleet that carries oil for countries such as Russia and Iran in violation of US sanctions.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 24, 2026 03:05 UTC