France has detained the tanker Deliver in the Mediterranean Sea on suspicion of breaching maritime law
On 23 June 2026, the French Navy carried out an operation on the high seas in the central Mediterranean involving the oil tanker Deliver, which was flying the Cameroonian flag and had arrived from Primorsk, Russia.
The operation was carried out pursuant to Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Its aim was to verify the nationality of the vessel, which was suspected of flying a false flag.
After an inspection team boarded the vessel, a check of the documents confirmed the suspicions regarding the legality of the flag under which the vessel was sailing.
The incident was reported to the public prosecutor in Marseille, who has jurisdiction over maritime legal matters.
At the request of the public prosecutor’s office and in accordance with international law, the vessel changed course on 23 June. It is currently being escorted by the French Navy to a holding point for further inspections.
The operation was carried out in close coordination with the European mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI and France’s allies, notably the United Kingdom.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Paris would not allow vessels of the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ to circumvent sanctions and finance Russia’s military efforts.
He added that France and its partners intend to continue taking action to ensure compliance with international law.
