Seized Tanker GRINCH Released: French Authorities Impose Million-Euro Penalty

The oil tanker GRINCH has been released from French waters after its owning company paid a multi-million-euro fine. French authorities seized the vessel on suspicions of evading European sanctions against Russia. The tanker was sailing under the Comoros flag, having left Murmansk in January.

French authorities have released the seized oil tanker GRINCH from territorial waters, following the company's payment of a fine running into millions of euros, as confirmed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday.

The vessel, detained in the Mediterranean last month and anchored near Marseille, was under suspicion of being part of a shadow fleet aiding Russia in exporting oil despite imposed sanctions. It initially set sail from Murmansk in January, registered under the Comoros flag.

The ship's owning company faced penalties for failing to justify its flagged registration, as outlined in a statement from French officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)