Key facts
- A tanker suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' was seized by French naval forces near Sicily.
- The vessel, named Deliver, was subsequently moved to waters near Marseille, France.
- The tanker was operating under a Cameroonian flag despite being removed from the registry weeks prior.
- This action allows for its detention under international maritime law.
- The Russian embassy in France condemned the seizure as 'piracy' and 'illegal'.
A tanker suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' was moved to waters near Marseille, France, on Friday, a day after being seized by the French navy near Sicily. The vessel, named Deliver, is one of nine ships seized across Europe since the start of 2026, believed to have been used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil trade.