"War profiteers": Macron slams "ghost fleet" as French Navy intercepts vessel in Mediterranean
Paris, March 20
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday announced that the French Navy intercepted a vessel identified as part of a "ghost fleet" in the Mediterranean, reiterating France's commitment to upholding international maritime law and supporting Ukraine.
In a post on X, the French President detailed the morning's operation, stating, "We are staying the course. The French Navy boarded this morning in the Mediterranean a new vessel from the ghost fleet, the Deyna."
The interception of the vessel, the Deyna, comes at a time of heightened global tension.
Highlighting the broader geopolitical context, President Macron emphasised that despite emerging conflicts elsewhere, France's primary foreign policy objectives remain unchanged. "The war in Iran will not divert France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia's war of aggression continues," Macron noted in his post.
Condemning the activities of such vessels, which are often used to bypass global trade restrictions, the French leader described these ships as "war profiteers" that directly contribute to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
"These boats that circumvent international sanctions and violate the law of the sea are war profiteers. They seek to rake in profits and fund the Russian war effort. We will not let that happen," the President added.
In line with these statements, the French military confirmed that the interception was a coordinated effort involving international partners, specifically the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters, which provided monitoring of the vessel.
This enforcement action arrives amid a series of international sanctions targeting Moscow following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
While Russia did not provide an immediate response to this latest incident, it has historically denounced the detention of its tankers or those transporting its goods as an "act of piracy."
This development marks the second time in recent months that French authorities have carried out such an interception.
In January, the oil tanker Grinch was detained between Spain and Morocco on allegations of belonging to the Russian "shadow fleet," a clandestine shipping network used to bypass Western energy sanctions.
The Grinch was eventually permitted to resume its journey in February after the payment of a fine totalling "several million euros."
Beyond these individual seizures, France has remained active in broader regional maritime enforcement, with the French Navy assisting Belgium in a third similar operation earlier in March to monitor suspicious shipping activity in European waters.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I understand the need to support Ukraine, I hope this doesn't escalate tensions further. The world is already on edge. India's position of calling for dialogue and diplomacy remains the most sensible path forward. War profiteering is wrong, but so is a never-ending conflict.
"Ghost fleet" sounds like something from a movie! 🚢 But seriously, this shows how complex global trade has become. Russia will always find ways to bypass sanctions. Meanwhile, we in India are focused on securing our own energy needs at the best price, regardless of the source.
Respectfully, I have to question the consistency here. France and other Western nations are very active in the Mediterranean, but what about the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea? Maritime law should be upheld uniformly everywhere, not just where it suits certain geopolitical interests.
Macron is right to call them out. Profiting from war while soldiers and civilians suffer is the lowest form of business. India has always maintained that territorial integrity must be respected—a principle that applies to Ukraine as much as it does anywhere else in the world.
The fine of "several million euros" for the Grinch tanker caught my eye. Seems like a cost of doing business for these shadow networks. Unless the penalties are truly crippling, these interceptions might just be a temporary nuisance. The economic incentive is too strong.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.