Ghost Tanker Grinch: Indian Captain Boarded by French Navy, Now in Custody

French authorities have detained the captain of an oil tanker intercepted by the navy as part of an investigation into possible sanctions evasion, the Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed on Sunday.

The vessel, named Grinch, was stopped in the Mediterranean on Thursday and later directed to anchor near the southern French port city of Marseille. Investigators suspect the ship may have been operating under a false flag.

French officials believe the tanker could be linked to the so-called shadow fleet that enables Russian oil exports despite international sanctions.

Authorities said the ship departed from Murmansk in early January and sailed under a Comoros flag. Investigators are now verifying whether that registration is valid.

🇫🇷 France has taken into custody the Indian captain of an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" for the vessel failing to fly a flag, prosecutors said.
➡️ https://t.co/2cKlKEekhV pic.twitter.com/5AZneXZ3va

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 25, 2026

Indian Captain Detained, Crew Remains Onboard

The ship’s 58-year-old captain, an Indian national, was taken into custody as part of preliminary inquiries. Prosecutors did not publicly link the investigation to Russia, but confirmed that the detention relates to concerns about the vessel’s legal status.

Other crew members, also Indian nationals, remain onboard while authorities examine navigation records and flag documentation.

"Pétrolier fantôme": le capitaine indien du Grinch, arraisonné par la Marine française, a été placé en garde à vue pic.twitter.com/ncpCRiJ3bK

— BFM (@BFMTV) January 25, 2026

The European Union has imposed 19 sanctions packages on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, Moscow continues to export large volumes of oil, mainly to India and China, often at reduced prices.

Much of this trade relies on vessels that operate outside the Western maritime insurance and compliance system, commonly known as shadow-fleet tankers.

France previously detained another sanctioned tanker, Boracay, off its Atlantic coast in October. Authorities released the vessel after several days once initial checks concluded.

Investigations into the Grinch remain ongoing, and officials have not yet announced whether charges will follow.