The Boracay oil tanker captain charged in France
The captain of the Boracay, an oil tanker that is thought to be part of a Russian “shadow fleet” of vessels has been charged by authorities in France. The fleet is so named because it is thought to evade sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
The Chinese national has been charged with one count of refusing to follow instructions from the French Navy. He has been asked to attend a court hearing in the northern coastal city of Brest in February 2026.
The Boracay, sailed out of Russia last month and was by the Danish coast at the same time as unidentified drones forced a temporary closure of multiple airports last week. French soldiers boarded the ship as it was on a list of vessels facing EU sanctions for carrying oil exports from Russia. Putin labelled the actions of the French soldiers as an act of “piracy,” having previously denied knowledge of the ship.
The Boracay is registered in Benin but has had a name and fag change several times in recent years. These are thought to be in a bid to bypass sanctions against Russia. The prosecutor’s office in France said that the captain has been unable to provide answers about the flag the ship was flying under. The second captain, also a Chinese national, had also been detained but was released without charge after questioning.
The Boracay is currently anchored near the port of Saint-Nazaire, near to Brest.
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