The Italian navy boarded the oil tanker Toa Payoh in the central Mediterranean after indications it may be linked to Russia’s "shadow fleet." The Cameroonian-flagged tanker, which sailed from Cotonou bound for Istanbul, was intercepted west of Pantelleria. A helicopter-borne team from the Thaon di Revel conducted a roughly two-hour inspection after the captain initially refused to cooperate. Greek and Polish assets supported the operation, and documents seized are now being analysed.
Italy Boards Tanker Suspected Of Links To Russia’s 'Shadow Fleet'
FILE PHOTO An aerial view at the western French port of Saint-Nazaire shows the tanker of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" suspected of being involved in drone flights over Denmark, cruising off the Danish coast between September 22 and 25. (is associated with: «Italy inspects tanker in operation against Russia's shadow fleet») Damien Meyer/AFP/dpa
An Italian naval vessel carried out a boarding and inspection of the oil tanker Toa Payoh in the central Mediterranean after receiving indications the ship could be associated with Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet." The action was announced by Rome's Ministry of Defence on Sunday.
Location and Voyage: The tanker, sailing under the Cameroonian flag, departed in mid-July from Cotonou in Benin and was en route to Istanbul when it was intercepted in international waters west of the island of Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Tunisia.
Boarding and Inspection: Italian military personnel boarded the Toa Payoh to verify whether the vessel had lawful authorization for the voyage. According to the Defence Ministry, the tanker’s captain initially refused to cooperate. A boarding team was then flown by helicopter from the Italian naval vessel Thaon di Revel to the tanker. The inspection lasted about two hours.
Support and Coordination: Italian forces were supported during the operation by a Greek vessel and a Polish maritime reconnaissance aircraft, the ministry added. The action is consistent with maritime monitoring activities in the region, including operations conducted by the EU naval mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, active since 2020 to help enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.
Shadow Fleet Context: The term "Russian shadow fleet" is used to describe tankers and cargo ships that are alleged to be used to circumvent sanctions, for example by disguising or rerouting oil shipments.
Next Steps: Defence Minister Guido Crosetto thanked the personnel involved. Authorities said the documents and information obtained during the inspection are under analysis as part of an ongoing inquiry.
Note: All reported details come from the Italian Ministry of Defence; formal findings will depend on the outcome of the document and data review.
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