A preliminary investigation began on January 22 and is related to possible violations of flag legislation. Inspections are being conducted by investigators from the maritime gendarmerie with the support of the Marseille Vessel Safety Center.
Currently, the tanker is anchored in the Marseille-Fos area, and maritime and aerial exclusion zones have been established around it. French authorities clarified that this is necessary to ensure the safe continuation of the investigation.
The GRINCH tanker was intercepted on January 22 in international waters of the Alboran Sea, between Spain and the northern coast of Africa. The operation was carried out by the French Navy with the assistance of allies, including the United Kingdom. After inspection, the vessel was escorted to the shores of France.
On January 25, the AFP agency published a video provided by the French Armed Forces General Staff, showing French soldiers landing on the tanker from a helicopter to conduct an inspection.
The investigation suggests that the tanker may have been using a false flag of the Comoros Islands. It was previously reported that over the past two years, the vessel has changed flags several times. French authorities note that such vessels are often used to circumvent sanctions and conduct covert deliveries of petroleum products.
The GRINCH tanker has been included in the sanctions lists of the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States as part of the Russian "shadow fleet." The vessel was built in 2004.
