France Plans Tougher Penalties for Shadow Tankers

France is taking steps to strengthen enforcement against illicit tanker operations, with proposals to increase penalties for vessels sailing without valid flags or failing to cooperate with authorities. The move signals a stronger push to tackle so-called shadow fleet activity linked to Russia.

Under proposed changes to the country’s military planning law, shipowners, operators, and other accountable parties could face prison sentences of up to two years along with fines of €300,000 for violations, doubling the current penalties. If the safety of boarding teams is endangered, sanctions could increase to as much as seven years in prison and fines of €700,000.

The proposal comes after a number of recent enforcement actions at sea. Since September, French authorities have boarded three vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions introduced following the war in Ukraine.

Shadow fleet tankers often attempt to avoid detection by frequently changing flags or operating under invalid registrations, making enforcement more challenging. In a recent incident off the western coast of France, a tanker initially refused to comply with orders to stop, delaying the boarding operation.