Captain of Russian “shadow” tanker released from custody in France: vessel remains under Navy protection
29.01.2026 - 10:40
The captain of the Grinch tanker, which is linked to the Russian shadow fleet, has been released from arrest in France. At the same time, the vessel remains at anchor near Marseille under the protection of the Navy, while the investigation is ongoing.
This was reported by the Marseille prosecutor’s office, Le Monde reports. The department noted that the captain’s arrest was canceled, after which he returned to the ship.
“The arrest was canceled and the captain returned to his ship. The investigation, which is being conducted by the naval gendarmerie under the leadership of the Marseille prosecutor’s office, is ongoing,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
The Grinch tanker is currently at anchor in a bay near the Marseille-Fos oil terminal. The vessel is being guarded by the French Navy.
The 58-year-old captain, a citizen of India, was detained on Saturday evening after the Marseille prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation. It is aimed at verifying the validity of the flag under which the tanker is sailing, as well as the ship’s and registration documents. Other crew members, who are also Indian citizens, remained on board the vessel.
The investigation was launched after an operation by French naval special forces, which on Thursday detained the tanker in international waters between Spain and North Africa.
The Grinch tanker appears on the list of vessels of the Russian shadow fleet, compiled by the United Kingdom. At the same time, the vessel is listed under the name Carl in the sanctions lists of the European Union and the United States.
Recall that on Thursday, January 22, the French Navy arrested a tanker that was heading from Russia and is subject to international sanctions.
