Belgian prosecutors launch probe into detained Russian shadow fleet tanker

The Belgian federal prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the oil tanker Ethera to determine whether it breached the Belgian Shipping Code.

Source: Belgian public broadcaster RTBF, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Guinea-flagged vessel was intercepted by the Belgian Armed Forces in the North Sea on the evening of Saturday 28 February and redirected into Belgian territorial waters before being detained in the port of Zeebrugge.

The federal prosecutor's office said an inspection, conducted in the presence of an inspector from the Directorate-General for Navigation at Belgium's Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, had identified "indications of a false flag" and uncovered documents that were "likely forged".

After consulting the public prosecutor of West Flanders, the authorities opened an investigation and ordered the ship to be redirected. The prosecutor's office said it is working closely with the West Flanders office, the maritime police and the Navigation Administration, although no further details have been given at this stage.

General Frederik Vansina said Belgium had been monitoring the tanker "for some time". He cited several common indications that a vessel is engaged in illicit maritime operations: frequent voyages between Russia and South America, regular switching-off of identification systems, and changes of flag.

The vessel's bridge was seized shortly before midnight and full control of the ship was established soon afterwards. All 21 crew members were identified. The vessel arrived in Zeebrugge on the morning of 1 March, where it was detained.

The 180-m-long ship was boarded shortly before midnight. The operation involved 93 military personnel, a sniffer dog and assistance from the French Navy.

French President Emmanuel Macron also praised the operation on social media, posting video footage of the boarding.

"We are on alert," Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken said, warning of "diplomatic repercussions" from Moscow. Belgium's ambassador to Russia has reportedly been briefed and may be summoned.

Francken also pointed out the symbolic significance: after France, Belgium is the second EU member state to detain an oil tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet. Belgium's National Crisis Centre is assessing the situation, while the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA) has been tasked with further analysis.

Background:

• On 22 January, France, with the support of the United Kingdom, detained the Grinch, a Russian shadow fleet tanker, off the coast of Spain after inspecting documents that confirmed suspicions the vessel was sailing under a false flag. The ship is subject to EU and UK sanctions.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron had told him about plans to release the tanker due to legal requirements.

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