Suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker ‘GRINCH’ grounded in Marseille port

The ‘GRINCH’ oil tanker, which was intercepted by the French navy on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to the “shadow fleet” that enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions, has been grounded in the Marseille-Fos port, said the Marseille prosecutor .

The prosecutor added that the tanker’s Indian captain, who had been detained by authorities, had since been released and allowed to return back on board the vessel.

The vessel left the Russian port of Murmansk in early January, sailing under a Comoros flag, French authorities have said.