The oil tanker GRINCH (IMO: 9288851), sanctioned by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States and linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” has been brought to the southern coast of France and placed at the disposal of the Marseille public prosecutor, BFMTV reported, citing the Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture.
The vessel is anchored in the Gulf of Fos - roughly 50 kilometers northwest of Marseille - near the oil terminal of the Marseille-Fos port. Maritime and air exclusion zones have been established around the tanker, which French authorities say are necessary to continue the investigation “under appropriate safety conditions.”
The tanker was placed at the disposal of the Marseille prosecutor as part of a preliminary probe into violations of flag-state requirements. The checks are being conducted with investigators from the maritime gendarmerie.
GRINCH was intercepted on January 22 in international waters of the Alboran Sea — between Spain and North Africa. The operation was carried out by the French Navy with support from allies, including the United Kingdom, and, as President Emmanuel Macron underscored, in strict accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. After being boarded and inspected, the vessel was escorted by warships to the French coast.
On January 25, AFP published video provided by the French Armed Forces General Staff. The footage shows a military helicopter hovering above the tanker as armed French personnel fast-rope onto the deck, make contact with the crew and conduct an inspection.
The Insider reviewed the AFP video and noted the tanker was riding low in the water — in places the waterline was barely visible due to waves. Such draft typically indicates the ship is carrying a full or near-full load.
The GRINCH tanker is officially listed under sanctions by the UK, EU and US as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
The United Kingdom added the ship on July 21, 2025, under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, citing its role in transporting crude oil or petroleum products of Russian origin from Russia to third countries, thereby supporting the Russian government and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The United States placed the vessel on OFAC’s SDN List under its former name, Carl, citing its links to transporting Russian oil and exposure to secondary sanctions.
The European Union also listed the ship as part of schemes to evade restrictions on exporting Russian energy products.
All sanctions lists cite the same identifier - IMO: 9288851 - confirming it is the same vessel regardless of name or flag changes.
As The Insider previously reported, over the past two years the GRINCH has sailed under at least five flags - the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Gabon, Barbados and the Comoros. In April 2025, the ship changed its name from Carl to GRINCH, and in October of the same year it lost its classification.
Shipping data indicate the tanker has regularly called at ports in Russia and Turkey, spent extended periods drifting in open waters and repeatedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) - hallmarks of “shadow fleet” operations. The vessel was built in 2004 at a shipyard in South Korea.
French authorities say the use of such ships enables sanctions evasion and helps finance the war against Ukraine, and they vow to systematically crack down on these violations at sea.
