On 2 August, the Italian navy conducted an inspection of a sanctioned Russian tanker in international waters off Pantelleria. The island is situated between Sicily and Tunisia. The operation took place as part of the European Union's EUNAVFOR MED IRINI mission. This mission focuses on tracking arms and oil trafficking. The ship in question, named Toa Payoh, is associated with the so-called Russian 'shadow fleet'. It is under EU sanctions. The tanker had been operating under the flag of Cameroon. It was flagged for review as part of the ongoing mission. The mission monitors and deters illicit trafficking activities in the region.
Flying the flag of Cameroon, the Toa Payoh had departed Cotonou in Benin on 16 July. It was heading for Istanbul. During the inspection, the Italian navy ship Thaon di Revel was involved. The ship's captain initially refused to cooperate with the crew. Eventually, a team of military personnel reached the vessel via helicopter. They completed the necessary checks. The refusal to cooperate added a layer of complexity to the operation. It did not impede its successful execution. The Italian forces managed to conduct the planned inspections under the European mandate.
Legal and Logistical Support
The operation received support from a Greek naval vessel. It also received support from a Polish maritime patrol aircraft. Lasting about two hours, the mission was conducted in international waters. It followed international law. The action complied with Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This article permits naval forces to verify a merchant ship's nationality. It allows checking the flag the ship is authorized to fly. These legal provisions ensured the legality and legitimacy of the operation. They reinforced the importance of such cooperative and multilateral efforts. These efforts safeguard maritime security.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto commended the crew of the Thaon di Revel and the other personnel for their professionalism and dedication. He described the operation as a concrete example of Italy's commitment to Mediterranean security and the European Union's efforts. The Italian authorities are currently analyzing the documents and data gathered during the inspection to assess the situation further. Crosetto emphasized the importance of such initiatives, noting how they demonstrate the effectiveness of collective action in countering illegal trafficking and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Operation IRINI was launched in 2020, with the original aim of enforcing the United Nations arms embargo on Libya. The mission's mandate has since expanded, and a number of Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Mediterranean have been inspected as part of the operation. Individual European countries, including France, Sweden, Belgium, and the U.K, have also boarded suspected shadow fleet vessels that entered their territorial waters. After Operation IRINI successfully boarded its fourth Russian vessel in the Mediterranean on July 20, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc had agreed to allow a joint naval mission in the Indian Ocean to also intercept suspected shadow fleet tankers. Russia's shadow fleet consists of thousands of aging, often uninsured vessels, which the Kremlin uses to transport oil and evade sanctions. Moscow finances its war machine in Ukraine through profits from oil exports while also using the ships to supply fuel to occupied Ukrainian territories. The EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia includes a provision allowing member states to sell crude oil, grain, and other commodities seized from shadow fleet vessels. The profits of such sales cannot be transferred to any Russian individuals or entities.