On 22 January 2026, a flag state control operation was conducted by the French Navy in the western Mediterranean Sea. French naval units intervened in the Alboran Sea to inspect the oil tanker GRINCH, which had departed from Murmansk, Russia. The operation was carried out on the high seas under article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, allowing warships to verify the nationality of vessels suspected of flying a false flag.
High-Seas inspection under international maritime law
During the boarding, French naval personnel carried out a detailed examination of the tanker’s registration and flag documentation. The inspection confirmed serious doubts regarding the legality of the flag displayed by the vessel. In accordance with international maritime law procedures, the findings were immediately reported to the public prosecutor in Marseille, the authority responsible for maritime judicial matters.
Court-ordered diversion and allied maritime cooperation
Following a judicial request, the tanker GRINCH was diverted under escort by the French Navy toward a designated anchorage area to allow further checks. The operation was conducted in close coordination with allied partners, including the United Kingdom, reflecting strengthened cooperation in maritime security enforcement. This intervention illustrates France’s determination to uphold international law, combat irregular shipping practices, and protect freedom of navigation in sensitive maritime zones such as the Mediterranean Sea and the Alboran Sea.
