France releases detained Russian oil tanker

French authorities have released an oil tanker allegedly linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

IMAGE: Flags of France and Russia. Getty Images

The Mozambique-flagged oil tanker, Deyna, was captured by the French Navy on 20 March 2026. The vessel was then diverted to the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer on 23 March.

The vessel was detained as it lacked verified registration and was operating without a valid flag – a violation of maritime transport laws.

The vessel has left French territorial waters after its owner paid a fine, the French Maritime Prefect of the Mediterranean said in a statement.

The oil tanker is allegedly a part of Russia’s shadow fleet, according to French authorities. These shadow, or “dark fleet”, vessels have facilitated illicit oil trades, circumventing the G7 oil price cap.

The ​French ​Mediterranean ⁠prefecture and Marseille Judicial Court did not disclose ​the amount of ​the ⁠fine paid by the ship owner.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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