Italian military personnel inspected a tanker belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Mediterranean Sea
As part of the EU’s Irini naval mission, Italian military personnel inspected the tanker Toa Payoh in the Mediterranean Sea, which is believed to be part of the so-called shadow fleet of Russia, the aggressor state. The vessel was intercepted west of the Italian island of Pantelleria.
According to the Italian Ministry of Defense, the tanker is subject to EU sanctions, was sailing under the Cameroonian flag, and was en route from Benin to Istanbul. The inspection was conducted to verify the vessel’s nationality and its registration under that flag.
According to the ministry, the captain of the Toa Payoh initially refused to cooperate. Subsequently, an Italian boarding team was flown by helicopter from the flagship of Operation Irini—the ITS Thaon di Revel—to conduct the necessary inspections.
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The operation lasted about two hours and concluded without incident. The Italian military was supported by a Greek warship and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft. The Italian Ministry of Defense noted that the operation took place in international waters under a European mandate and in accordance with Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto congratulated those involved in the operation, praising their professionalism, readiness, and determination. There is currently no information on whether the vessel was detained during the inspection. The EUNAVFOR MED Irini mission has been operating since 2020 to monitor compliance with the UN arms embargo on Libya. Subsequently, EU countries granted it the authority to inspect vessels suspected of sailing under false flags.
