In a significant operation late Saturday, Belgium, in collaboration with France, successfully seized a Russian oil tanker suspected of being part of a shadow fleet in the North Sea. This action marks a decisive step in Europe’s ongoing efforts to counteract the movement of vessels believed to be engaged in transporting sanctioned oil and undermining undersea infrastructure.
Details of the operation
The Belgian armed forces conducted the boarding of the vessel on Saturday evening. Following the operation, Defense Minister Theo Francken reported on X at approximately 1 a.m. local time on Sunday that the ship was being escorted towards the port of Zeebrugge.
French President Emmanuel Macron commended the joint efforts, noting that French helicopters were also deployed in this operation, calling it a “major blow for the ghost fleet.”
Reactions from Belgian officials
Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed his gratitude to the armed forces for their “last night’s successful operation” and acknowledged France’s critical support. He emphasized that “Belgium will uphold international maritime law and the security of its territorial waters,” reiterating the nation’s commitment to maintain maritime security.
In a separate statement, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot highlighted that the operation was executed as part of the International Task Force on the Shadow Fleet, collaborating closely with G7 nations, as well as Nordic and Baltic partners.
Despite these efforts, the European Union continues to face challenges in curtailing Russia’s oil exports through the shadow fleet, which as of December had approximately 600 vessels on its watchlist.