French authorities have detained the tanker Boracay (115,577 dwt) for investigation, amid suspicions it may be linked to a September 22 drone incident over Copenhagen Airport. AIS shows that the 2007-built tanker was shadowed by a French warship after rounding France’s northwestern tip, before altering course east toward the French coast. It is currently at anchor near Saint-Nazaire.
The tanker has been part of the “shadow fleet” since 2022, cycling through five names, seven flags, nine ISM managers, four owners, and three commercial controllers. Earlier this year, Estonian authorities detained it under the name Kiwala for 15 days due to documentation and crew deficiencies, after its registry in Djibouti had been canceled. The UK sanctioned the vessel in October 2024 for involvement in the Russian oil trade, followed by EU sanctions in February 2025.
According to Danish defense officials, the vessel was positioned approximately 70 nautical miles (81 miles) from Copenhagen during the drone attacks.
Tracking data shows the vessel departed the Russian port of Primorsk on September 20, 2025, transiting through the Baltic Sea and North Sea toward the English Channel before interception. It was bound for Vadinar, India, under the name Pushpa and claiming Benin registry, carrying 750,000 barrels of Russian crude.
French authorities say the crew failed to provide proof of nationality and did not comply with orders, prompting the latest detention.
