Reviews & Ratings for the South-Star

On July 20, 2026, European Union maritime forces made a significant interception in the western Mediterranean Sea by boarding the sanctioned tanker 'South Star'. This action was prompted by suspicions that the vessel was navigating under a false flag, potentially violating international maritime regulations. Records indicated that the 'South Star' was operating under the Cameroonian flag, but this was determined to be inaccurate. The tanker had entered the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar on July 16 before being intercepted four days later while traversing international waters southeast of Sicily. The boarding operation was executed by the Italian Navy’s versatile patrol ship, ITS 'Thaon di Revel' (P430), along with an NH90 helicopter for aerial support. This action was part of Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, which is focused on verifying maritime flags amidst growing concerns about vessels associated with Russia’s shadow fleet. Upon boarding the tanker, EU forces conducted a thorough inspection of its documents and compiled pertinent information for review by EU authorities. Following the verification process, the 'South Star' was allowed to continue its journey and subsequently docked at Rade on July 22. Notably, as of June, this vessel had switched its registry to Equatorial Guinea. The tanker has been under scrutiny since it was previously sanctioned by the UK and EU in 2025 due to its role in illicit ship-to-ship oil transfers, reportedly ferrying Russian oil products from the Black Sea to North Africa. With the mandate of Operation IRINI granting the right of visit for flag verification in line with Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the interception underscores the EU's ongoing efforts to tighten the noose around the operations of the Russian shadow fleet in the region. For a detailed report with visual documentation, visit: https://maritime-executive.com/article/eu-inspects-sanctioned-tanker-as-it-increases-pressure-on-shadow-fleet.