{"id":4486,"date":"2026-03-03T08:10:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T08:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/4486\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T08:10:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T08:10:07","slug":"shadow-fleet-tanker-impounded-by-belgium-and-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/4486\/","title":{"rendered":"Shadow Fleet Tanker Impounded by Belgium and France"},"content":{"rendered":"

Announced on February 28th, Belgian forces supported by the French Navy boarded and seized a Tanker dubbed the \u201cEthera\u201d, an oil carrier with links to Russia\u2019s elusive \u201cshadow fleet\u201d while it transited the North Sea in Belgium\u2019s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).<\/p>\n

The effort to seize the tanker was dubbed \u201cOperation Blue Intruder\u201d and consisted of primarily French and Belgian assets, with additional support provided by G7 and NATO partners. Posted<\/a> by French President Emmanuel Macron, a video captures the seizure with Belgian VBSS teams seen rappelling down onto the deck of the Ethera from a French Navy NH90.<\/p>\n

Theo Francken, the Belgian Minister of Defense, stated that the Tanker has been taken into custody following the deployment of French and Belgian forces, and will be escorted to port in Zeebrugge, Belgium, for follow on inspections and interrogations. <\/p>\n

\"Shadow\"Shadow<\/p>\n

A French Navy NH90 helicopter hovering over the MV Ethera during her impounding. Belgian Defence image.<\/p>\n

Ethera was detained due to violation of maritime law for flying a false flag and utilizing false documents, with the vessel sporting the flag of Guinea at the time of the seizure. Suspicions were confirmed upon the detention and inspection of the Tanker, placing the Ethera amongst Russia\u2019s Shadow Fleet which is tasked with dodging sanctions imposed on Russian oil by the international community. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 Blue Intruder: Our Air Force, Belgian Navy & SOCOM intercepted a sanctioned vessel in the North Sea with the French Navy. Our NH90 & MQ\u20119B were key assets.
\ud83e\udd1d A strong air\u2011naval cooperation ensuring maritime security.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7Bkoks \u2013 Belgian Defence pic.twitter.com\/VVrBfl53H2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Belgian Air Force\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea (@BeAirForce) March 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

According to the Belgian Air Force, Belgian NH90 and MQ-9B \u201cwere key assets\u201d in the operation.<\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s Sanction Busting<\/p>\n

\"French\"French<\/p>\n

An A\u00e9ronavale NH90 during the seizure of the Russian Shadow fleet Tanker Grinch. Image from French President Emmanuel Macron\u2019s X account. <\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s secretive fleet has proven to be a lifeline to an otherwise economically embattled regime, allowing the exportation of Russian oil without incurring the price caps or sanctions penalties put in place. To avoid any economic retribution, the tankers fly different flags which indicate a separate country of origin, allowing them to stealthily carry Russian crude oil to unsanctioned destinations, where said oil is processed and eventually put onto the market. <\/p>\n

However, with the capture of the MV Ethera, the total count for Russian tied tankers seized by NATO countries has risen to 7, with Naval News reporting on past tanker seizures<\/a>. The United States initiated what is now a trend amongst Western states, seizing a total of 7 oil tankers accused of aiding of sanctioned countries. France soon followed with the MV \u201cGrinch\u201d, which was put into port by French Forces following boarding in the Alboran Sea on January 22nd.<\/p>\n

The continual seizures of Russian Shadow Tankers presents a challenge to Moscow\u2019s already precarious economic position, with a Rand Report<\/a> placing around thirty percent of the entire Russian budget as reliant on oil exports, which have now been heavily sanctioned by what was formerly one of Russia\u2019s biggest oil markets in Europe. Despite this, there may be some reprieve for the Kremlin due to elevated oil costs spurred on by conflict in the Middle East amidst threats by the Iranian regime to target any ships crossing the straight of Hormuz, which gates access to some of the largest oil producers on the planet.<\/p>\n

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