Italian Navy Boards Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker During EU Mission In Mediterranean

The Italian navy has boarded a tanker linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” in international waters near Pantelleria in the Mediterranean as part of a European Union mission to check the vessel’s nationality and flag status.

The tanker Toa Payoh, which is under European Union sanctions, was intercepted west of Pantelleria, an Italian island located between Sicily and Tunisia.

The vessel was sailing under the declared flag of Cameroon and was travelling to Istanbul after leaving the port of Cotonou in Benin on July 16, according to Italy’s Defence Ministry.

The inspection was carried out on Sunday, Aug. 2, by the Italian naval ship Thaon di Revel, the flagship of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, the EU mission operating in the Mediterranean.

Italy’s Defence Ministry said the purpose of the boarding was to verify the tanker’s nationality, which is based on the flag a vessel is authorised to fly.

The ministry said the captain of the Toa Payoh initially did not cooperate with the request for inspection. An Italian military team was then sent to the tanker by helicopter from the Thaon di Revel to carry out the checks.

The operation was supported by a Greek vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft. The inspection lasted around two hours and was completed safely, according to the ministry.

Italian authorities are currently reviewing the documents and information collected during the inspection. No further action against the tanker has been announced so far.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto praised the crew of the Thaon di Revel and the military personnel involved, saying their work showed Italy’s contribution to Mediterranean security and the European Union’s operations.

The Defence Ministry said the boarding took place in international waters under the EU mandate and followed Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The rule allows naval vessels, under certain conditions, to check the nationality of merchant ships and verify the flag they are authorised to use.

The European Union continues action against vessels it identifies as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”. The EU says these ships are used to help avoid restrictions placed on Russian oil exports after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

EUNAVFOR MED IRINI was launched in 2020 to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya. The mission was later expanded to allow checks on vessels suspected of operating under false flags.

References: Reuters, anews