The French authorities released the tanker Deliver
The French authorities released the tanker Deliver after it paid a fine, following its detention in June 2024 in the Mediterranean Sea near Sicily over allegations of using a false flag. The vessel, en route from Russia's Primorsk to Singapore under the Cameroonian flag, was detained due to lack of documentation and later found to be operating under sanctions.
Consensus
- The tanker Deliver was detained by French naval forces in June 2024 near Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea.
- The detention was based on suspicions of using a false flag, specifically the Cameroonian flag.
- The vessel was escorted to the port of Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille after being found without valid documentation confirming its nationality.
- A court in Marseille sentenced the ship's owner to a monetary penalty on 22 July 2024.
- After payment of the fine, French authorities allowed the tanker to continue its journey and leave French territorial waters.
- The tanker was under EU sanctions since February 2025.
- The vessel was traveling from Primorsk, Russia, to Singapore.
Points of divergence
- President Emmanuel Macron described the Deliver as belonging to a 'shadow fleet' of Russia and framed the detention as a demonstration of European resolve against Russia. — kommersant
- The French authorities stated that the operation was conducted under international conventions for flag verification, emphasizing procedural legitimacy over political framing. — interfax
Coverage (3 sources)
- France released tanker Deliver suspected of links to the 'shadow fleet' — Коммерсантъ
- French authorities release tanker Deliver after fine payment — Интерфакс
- Captain of the French-held tanker Deliver released from custody — Коммерсантъ