Belgian army seizes oil tanker from Russian shadow fleet

The Belgian army, with support from the French army, has seized an oil tanker from the Russian shadow fleet, Defence minister Theo Francken (N-VA) reported on Saturday night just after 1h20 on X. "The ship is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized," Francken said.

The minister wrote that 'Operation Blue Intruder' was carried out by "a team of exceptionally brave soldiers." In his message, which also included an image of a tanker, Francken thanked Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés), and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin. More information will follow this morning/Sunday during a press conference, he said.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) congratulated "our armed forces for their professional and decisive action during last night's successful operation" and thanked the French partners "for their valuable support." "Belgium will always uphold international maritime law and respond decisively to any violation of the security of its territorial waters”, he wrote on X.

In January, France had already detained a tanker suspected of being part of the Russian shadow fleet. French authorities allowed the oil tanker to depart after a few weeks. The owner was ordered to pay a fine of several million euros. Ships in the Russian shadow fleet are sailing under false flags to avoid international sanctions.

Minister Verlinden, who’s competent for matters related to the North Sea, added: “Increasing geopolitical tensions and organized crime are making our sea, its vital infrastructure, shipping, and our ports more vulnerable than ever. Incidents in the North Sea and elsewhere, such as the Baltic Sea, demonstrate how quickly critical installations can be targeted in this unique and rapidly changing security context."

_{#FlandersNewsService | Theo Francken © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}