Suspected Shadow Fleet Tanker Boarded by EU Naval Forces, Mediterranean Sea
Issued: 2 days, 22 hours ago
| Date | Reference | Region | Category | Aggressors | Source |
| 2026-11-13 00:00:00 | CWD Notification 007- (Nov 26) | Europe | OSINT | Military | OSINT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has reported that EU naval forces participating in Operation IRINI stopped and boarded a tanker in the Mediterranean Sea on 13 November (exact time and position not specified). The vessel, a Crude Oil Tanker named MIDAG (IMO not specified), is suspected of belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet. The boarding was carried out under Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The inspection confirmed that the vessel was sailing under a false flag. No information has been released on the condition of the crew, the cargo, or the current status and location of the vessel. The EU has stated that it will continue to disrupt the shadow fleet. EU foreign ministers are also expected to approve new sanctions on 16 November. These will target banks, buyers and companies that support the shadow fleet. Vessels with links to sanctioned trades should be aware of the increased likelihood of flag verification boardings in the Mediterranean. | |||||