Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleThe Boracay, a tanker under sanctions, leaves France amid investigations into its role in Russia's shadow fleet and oil transport.
By Nerijus Adomaitis
(Reuters) -The Boracay, a tanker under Western sanctions on suspicion of being part of Russia's "shadow fleet" and also facing a separate investigation by French authorities, has set sail from where it was anchored off western France, according to MarineTraffic data.
It was unclear why the vessel, which was heading southwest down the Bay of Biscay at cruise speed early on Friday, was allowed to depart after it was raided by French Navy commandos over the weekend.
Neither local French maritime authorities, nor the Brest prosecutor's office, which has been investigating the Benin-flagged vessel over its nationality, responded to requests for comment.
Prior to its detention, the Boracay was destined for India's Vadinar port, home to a Nayara Energy refinery. Reuters could not ascertain if that was where it was heading.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that the ship was detained as part of a European strategy to combat the oil revenue stream that helps to fund Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
To try to skirt Western sanctions, Russia has been increasingly relying on old vessels, known as the shadow fleet, to ship its oil and gas.
Macron also said it was unclear whether the vessel was involved in drone incursions in Denmark last week, which shut Danish airports close to the route the ship had been sailing from the Baltic to the North Sea.
(Writing by Gabriel Stargardter; editing by Barbara Lewis)
A shadow fleet refers to a group of older vessels that are used to transport oil and gas, often to evade sanctions imposed on countries like Russia.
Sanctions are penalties or restrictions imposed by countries or international organizations to influence a country's behavior, often related to trade or finance.
Vadinar port in India is significant as it hosts a major refinery operated by Nayara Energy, which processes crude oil imported from various sources.
The French Navy plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime security by conducting operations to enforce laws, protect shipping routes, and respond to illegal activities at sea.
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