Read Authentic Ratings for the Grinch

The tanker known as 'Grinch', linked to dubious affiliations with the Russian shadow fleet, has been released from its three-week detention in the vicinity of the Marseille‑Fos oil terminal. French authorities confirmed the vessel's departure on February 17. This Aframax tanker, which was falsely registered under the flag of Comoros, had loaded crude oil at Murmansk, a strategic Arctic port in Russia, before being intercepted by French naval forces on January 22 in the Mediterranean Sea. Following legal proceedings, the vessel's owner faced significant penalties and promptly paid several million Euros into the account of AGRASC, the agency responsible for the management of seized and confiscated assets. The owner was unable to adequately prove the ship's legitimate nationality and has since committed to acquiring a new, verifiable flag in a timely manner.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has received a report regarding the abandonment of the vessel GRINCH (IMO: 9288851). This troubling incident has been logged under the following details: - **Vessel Name:** GRINCH - **IMO Number:** 9288851 - **Flag State:** Comoros - **Current Port:** Marseille, France - **Total Crew Members Affected:** 26 - **Nationalities of Seafarers:** India - **Date Reported to ITF:** February 13, 2026 - **Current Status of the Case:** Open The case highlights ongoing concerns surrounding crew welfare as the ITF continues to monitor and address cases of abandonment across the maritime industry. The situation is closely watched, and further updates are expected as the ITF works to ensure the rightful payment of wages and support for the crew members affected.

The captain, hailing from India, of the tanker 'Grinch' has been permitted to resume his responsibilities aboard the vessel after an inquiry led by Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone. Currently, he does not face any formal charges. However, the tanker remains under administrative detention following its interception in the Alboran Sea, amid serious allegations of utilizing falsified documentation and connections to Russia's so-called ghost fleet, which aims to evade international sanctions. The probe into the 'Grinch' is being conducted by the Maritime Gendarmerie and is overseen by the local public prosecutor's office. The scrutiny is primarily due to inconsistencies regarding the tanker's flag, which is registered in Comoros, starkly contrasting with evidence that suggests a genuine Russian lineage. Reports indicate that several significant vessels have adopted similar tactics to mask their ties to Russia, thereby circumventing the international restrictions imposed due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The UK government has categorized the vessel as part of Russia’s ghost fleet, while the European Union and the United States have identified it by the name 'Carl'. According to the Marseille Public Prosecutor’s Office, the dual naming and registration techniques are a calculated strategy employed to complicate tracking efforts by European authorities. This investigation is part of broader European initiatives aimed at combatting practices that bypass international sanctions, enacted since the onset of the Ukraine invasion in 2022. Investigators suspect that the deliberate manipulation of documents, including flag registrations and formal identity submissions, is a common tactic in Russian maritime operations, allowing the unimpeded transport of hydrocarbons to alternate markets devoid of oversight or limitations. The investigation remains active, with the Marseille Public Prosecutor’s Office maintaining ongoing communication with international entities to authenticate the documents retrieved during the tanker’s interception. French authorities are diligently working to clarify the ship's precise routes, ownership history, and the legitimacy of the documentation presented throughout its journey, as reported by Le Figaro.

An investigation is underway in Marseille following the detention of the 58-year-old Indian captain of the tanker 'Grinch'. Authorities are probing whether the vessel was operating under a false flag. The rest of the crew, also comprised of Indian nationals, remains on board the seized ship, which is currently anchored at position 43° 22' N 004° 59' E in the Gulf of Fos, near the Fos-sur-Mer oil terminal at the Port of Marseille-Fos, as of January 24. The French Navy is overseeing the vessel, which is under strict supervision with established exclusion zones extending 500 meters on water and 1.5 nautical miles in the air. Concerns arise as the 'Grinch' is suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, facilitating the export of Russian crude amidst international sanctions. Ongoing investigations into the legitimacy of the tanker’s flag and navigation documents are in the hands of the Marseille public prosecutor. For additional details and images, visit the following links: [Premar Méditerranée](https://www.premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/arrivee-au-mouillage-du-petrolier-cargo-grinch-dans-le-golfe-de-fos), [Sud Ouest](https://www.sudouest.fr/societe/defense/petrolier-fantome-russe-arraisonne-par-la-france-operation-commando-enquete-ce-que-l-on-sait-sur-le-grinch-27573102.php), [France Info](https://www.franceinfo.fr/societe/armee-securite-defense/le-petrolier-soupconne-d-appartenir-a-la-flotte-fantome-russe-amarre-pres-de-marseille-et-mis-a-la-disposition-de-la-justice-francaise_7763849.html), [Mes Infos](https://mesinfos.fr/13270-fos-sur-mer/ce-que-l-on-sait-du-petrolier-russe-amarre-en-face-de-port-de-bouc-238454.html).

In a bold maritime operation on January 22, 2026, French forces successfully intercepted the Russian-affiliated tanker 'Grinch' as it navigated the Mediterranean Sea, departing from the Russian port of Murmansk. The seizure occurred in the Alboran Sea, an area east of Gibraltar, where French sailors, using helicopters, boarded the vessel. This decisive action has drawn parallels to recent military interventions by the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the operation, which was carried out with the support of the French Navy, detailed in an official press release. The 'Grinch' was reportedly sailing under a false flag, specifically that of the Comoros, complicating its identification and raising concerns about its true activities. The tanker was already on the sanctions lists of the European Union, the United States, and other nations due to allegations of exporting Russian oil multiple times. Following its takeover, the ship is now under the control of French authorities and will be taken to a port for further investigation. A judicial inquiry has also been initiated to probe the circumstances surrounding the tanker. This operation was conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Article 110 UNCLOS) and involved cooperation with French allies. For visual coverage and additional details, refer to the reports available at [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdexxr2y907o) and [Le Parisien](https://www.leparisien.fr/international/la-marine-francaise-a-arraisonne-un-navire-petrolier-venant-de-russie-en-mediterranee-annonce-emmanuel-macron-22-01-2026-2PQKPF6A5RABNI5EXROLA3KI54.php).

In a notable transaction, a maritime vessel has been sold for an impressive $13.5 million to Union Maritime, a buyer based in the United Kingdom. This recent acquisition underscores the ongoing activity within the shipping industry as buyers seek to enhance their fleets. The sale reflects the dynamic nature of maritime commerce and the strategic investments being made by companies to navigate the ever-evolving market.

In a noteworthy development within the maritime industry, Core Petroleum has finalized a charter agreement, securing a vessel at a rate of $14,000 per day. This strategic move highlights Core Petroleum's ongoing commitment to enhancing its operations and capabilities in the energy sector.