Phantom fleet: the oil tanker immobilized in Marseille is subject to an administrative immobilisation procedure while the investigations continue

On 29 June 2026, French authorities confirmed that the oil tanker *Deliver*, suspected of being part of Russia's so-called "phantom fleet," remains immobilized off the coast of Fos-sur-Mer, southeast of Marseille, while ongoing investigations continue into alleged issues with its registration. The vessel was intercepted on 23 June near Sicily during a "flag inspection" operation conducted under international agreements. This action follows a series of similar operations targeting vessels believed to be operating under false flags to evade Western sanctions imposed on Russia due to its involvement in the war in Ukraine.

The *Deliver* is a 275-meter-long ship registered under the Cameroonian flag but originally from the Russian port of Primorsk, close to the Finnish border. It had been heading toward Singapore via the Suez Canal when it was stopped by French naval forces. After inspections raised concerns about its registration status, the Marseille prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into potential violations related to its flag. As a result, the ship was diverted and escorted to Fos-sur-Mer, where it has remained since arriving late Friday. The captain was briefly placed in custody but released over the weekend, though the vessel itself is now subject to administrative detention pending further inquiries.

According to the French authorities, the *Deliver* appears on a list of ships removed from the Cameroonian registry issued by Cameroon’s transport ministry on 29 May 2026. Earlier this year, Cameroon had condemned the fraudulent use of its flag by another suspected phantom fleet vessel, the *Tagor*, which was previously intercepted by French forces in the Atlantic. The *Deliver* also appears on a European Union sanctions list dating back to February 2025. Since September 2025, France has intercepted five such vessels suspected of belonging to the phantom fleet, making it a leading force in these operations.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized on social media that Europe would not allow the phantom fleet to circumvent sanctions or fund Russia’s military efforts. He stated that Europe was determined to increase the cost of war for Russia and work toward a lasting peace in Ukraine. However, the Russian embassy in France criticized the interception as an act of piracy, arguing that international law does not permit the forced diversion of ships or their escorting to ports from international waters. They also challenged the validity of EU sanctions, calling them unilateral.

The Russian embassy noted that, to its knowledge, no Russian citizens were among the *Deliver*'s crew, which consists of 25 individuals from four different nationalities. Before the *Deliver*, France had intercepted several other vessels, including the *Tagor*, which was seized in mid-May in the middle of the Atlantic, and the *Deyna* and *Grinch*, both arrested in the Mediterranean in March and January 2026 respectively. The *Boracay* was detained in September 2025 off the coast of Ouessant, Finistère. While the *Tagor* remains immobilized, the *Deyna* and *Grinch* were eventually allowed to depart after paying fines following plea deals.

In early April, the captain of the *Boracay* received a one-year prison sentence and a fine of €150,000 for refusing to comply with instructions. The ship had already left French waters before the ruling. The *Deyna* and *Grinch* also departed after weeks of detention and paying unspecified fines, although reports suggest the amounts could reach several million euros. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot mentioned that the fines for the *Grinch* alone amounted to several million euros.

The *Deliver* case continues to highlight the broader issue of phantom fleets attempting to bypass economic sanctions by using flags of convenience. These vessels are believed to be transporting oil and other goods to fund Russia’s war effort, often evading detection by changing registries and routes. The situation underscores the challenges faced by Western nations in enforcing sanctions against entities linked to Russia, particularly when they operate under foreign flags. With the *Deliver* still under administrative detention, the outcome of the ongoing investigation will likely influence future actions taken by European authorities against suspected phantom fleet vessels.