An Italian military ship involved in the European Union’s Irini naval mission intercepted on Sunday, in the Mediterranean Sea, a tanker included on the European sanctions list and considered part of the so-called „phantom fleet” used by Russia to circumvent restrictions on oil exports.
Italian authorities announced that teams of military personnel boarded the Toa Payoh tanker to verify its nationality and the flag under which it was sailing. The information was relayed by Reuters, citing the Ministry of Defense in Rome.
According to the ministry, the tanker, which claims to be sailing under the flag of Cameroon, was intercepted west of the Italian island of Pantelleria while en route from Benin to Istanbul.
The ship's captain initially refused to cooperate, prompting a team of Italian military personnel to descend on board from a helicopter launched from the Thaon di Revel frigate, the flagship of the European operation.
The checks, conducted with the support of a Greek military ship and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft, lasted about two hours and concluded without incidents, according to the Italian Ministry of Defense.
Authorities did not specify whether the tanker was detained after the inspection was completed.
What is Russia's "phantom fleet"
The European Union has sanctioned dozens of tankers it claims are part of a network used by Russia to evade restrictions on its oil exports following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
These ships often operate under flags of convenience, frequently change owners or managing companies, and resort to practices aimed at concealing the origin of their cargoes.
The European naval mission EUNAVFOR MED Irini was launched in 2020 to monitor compliance with the UN arms embargo on Libya. Subsequently, EU member states expanded its mandate, allowing it to inspect ships suspected of fraudulently using a specific flag.
Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, praised the military personnel involved in the operation, stating that it demonstrates Italy's contribution to Mediterranean security and the enforcement of measures adopted by the European Union.