France seizes “The Grinch” oil tanker in Mediterranean

23 January 2026

The French navy boarded and seized a sanctioned ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in the Mediterranean on 22 January 2026. The tanker is said to be The Grinch (IMO 9288851), which was travelling from Russia and sailing under the Comoros flag. The vessel was sanctioned by the US under the name ‘Carl’ in January 2025, and by the EU in February 2025. It was under the Barbados flag at the time.

The British Royal Navy confirmed it provided assistance to the French Navy. It also said it is monitoring the movements of sanctioned vessels in the English Channel. The UK also provided assistance to US European Command when it seized the sanctioned Bella 1 in the Atlantic.