PARIS: The French Navy confirmed on Tuesday that it had launched an investigation into the oil tanker Boracay, a vessel suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” involved in transporting sanctioned crude oil. The ship is currently anchored off Saint Nazaire on France’s Atlantic coast.
The 2007-built crude oil tanker, which previously operated under different names including Kiwala, has been under scrutiny since it left the Russian port of Primorsk on September 20.
According to MarineTraffic data, the ship sailed through the Baltic Sea, passed over Denmark, and continued west through the English Channel before altering course and approaching French waters.
Ship tracking data showed that a French warship closely shadowed the tanker after it rounded Brittany’s northwestern tip, prompting concerns that the vessel was attempting to evade monitoring. The tanker later dropped anchor near Saint Nazaire, where French authorities began a formal probe.
The Brest prosecutor’s office confirmed that a judicial investigation had been opened after the crew failed to provide proof of the vessel’s nationality during inspection and did not comply with naval orders. “We are assessing whether maritime laws and international sanctions were violated,” the prosecutor said.
The Boracay has already faced regulatory troubles earlier this year when Estonian authorities detained it for operating without a valid national flag.
Such behavior is typical of “shadow fleet” vessels, which are often linked to opaque ownership structures, questionable insurance coverage, and high-risk shipping practices. Many of these tankers are over 20 years old, raising further safety concerns.
The vessel has also been the subject of sanctions from both Britain and the European Union. In October 2024, the EU listed the tanker for transporting Russian crude and petroleum products using “irregular and high-risk shipping practices.”
The UK followed in February 2025, accusing the ship of being directly involved in activities designed to “destabilize Ukraine” or benefit the Russian government through illicit oil transport.
Complicating matters further, the tanker has undergone several identity changes. It was renamed Boracay in December 2024, though some shipping databases list it under the name Pushpa. Despite name changes, vessels retain the same IMO identification number throughout their operational life, making it possible to track their histories.
Maritime experts say the detention of the Boracay highlights growing European efforts to crack down on Russia’s shadow fleet, which has been instrumental in circumventing sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. “These ships operate in legal grey zones, often putting crews, cargo, and the environment at risk,” said one shipping analyst.
The French Navy has not confirmed whether the vessel will be seized or forced to leave French waters, but officials stressed that the probe was being conducted in line with international maritime law.
For now, the Boracay remains at anchor off Saint Nazaire as authorities continue their investigation into its links with Russia’s shadow oil trade. The case underscores the ongoing challenges European nations face in enforcing sanctions amid the global energy crisis.