British forces have carried out their first-ever detention of a Russian shadow fleet tanker, boarding the sanctioned Aframax tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel during a six-hour operation involving Royal Marines, National Crime Agency officers, naval vessels, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft.
The Cameroon-flagged tanker, which is listed under UK and EU sanctions, was intercepted on June 14 and ordered to an anchorage off England’s south coast, where it remains under investigation. Authorities said the operation was conducted under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allowing warships to verify a vessel’s nationality when there are grounds to suspect irregularities with its registration.
One Indian seafarer was arrested on suspicion of sanctions offences and taken into custody for questioning. The remaining 24 Indian and Georgian crew members remain aboard the vessel.
According to British authorities, MV Smyrtos departed Russia’s Ust-Luga port on June 5 and was reportedly carrying up to 600,000 barrels of oil while bound for Port Said.
The operation marks the first use of powers allowing British forces to board and detain sanctioned shadow fleet vessels transiting UK waters.
The UK has sanctioned nearly 600 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which London estimates consists of more than 700 tankers responsible for transporting around 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil exports.
Reports indicate that several sanctioned tankers altered course to avoid the English Channel after news of the detention emerged.
MV Smyrtos will remain under British control while the investigation continues. Authorities have not yet indicated whether they will seek to confiscate the vessel or its cargo.
