France plans to double penalties for vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet, France24 says

Olha Kovalchuk - 9 April, 13:11

A tanker. Stock photo: Getty Images

France plans to double prison sentences and fines for owners and operators of vessels sailing under false flags or refusing to comply with stop orders.

Source: France24

Details: According to France24, which reviewed a draft update to the country's military planning law, the tougher penalties are aimed at strengthening the fight against Russia's shadow fleet, a source familiar with the matter said.

France intends to punish offenders with up to two years in prison and a fine of €300,000. This would double current penalties, and the sanctions would apply to anyone exercising control or management authority over a vessel's operation, the draft law states.

Penalties could be increased to up to seven years in prison and fines of €700,000 if the lives of people on board are put at risk.

The French parliament is expected to vote on the bill by 14 July.

The proposed changes come amid increased enforcement: since September, France has detained three vessels suspected of belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

Background:

In late March, a Chinese captain of the Russian tanker Boracay, seized last year by the French navy off the coast of Brittany, was sentenced to one year in prison.
On 22 January, France, with support from the United Kingdom, detained the tanker Grinch near the Spanish coast after document checks confirmed suspicions that it was sailing under a false flag. The tanker is part of Russia's shadow fleet and is under EU and UK sanctions.
On 20 March, it was also reported that France, again with UK support, detained the vessel Deyna in the Mediterranean, which is linked to Russia's shadow fleet.

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