France is set to impose tougher penalties on ships sailing under false flags as part of its efforts to target Russia's 'shadow fleet'.

.The French government is planning to make it harder for ships involved in illegal tanker operations to get away with it. They are suggesting that the penalties for vessels sailing without the correct flags or refusing to cooperate with authorities should be made stricter. The move is a stronger push to tackle so-called shadow-fleet activity linked to Russia. According to a draft update to the country's military planning law, the measures are aimed at vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions.

Strict penalties against shadow ships

According to a draft update to France's military planning law seen by AFP on Wednesday, France will now punish those who fail to fly the correct flag or refuse to comply with orders to stop the ship with up to two years in prison and a fine of €300,000 ($351,000). The penalties in place would be doubled, according to the statement. This would mean that any person who exercises "power of control or management" over the vessel's operation, such as the owner, operator, or legally responsible individual, would be subject to sanctions.

Related : The green light has been given to British forces to board Russian 'shadow fleet' ships in UK waters.

Several recent enforcement actions that took place at sea

The proposal follows several recent enforcement actions that took place at sea. Since September, the French authorities have boarded three vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of the sanctions imposed by the West following the war in Ukraine. Enforcement is complicated by the fact that shadow fleet tankers often try to avoid detection by frequently changing flags or operating under invalid registrations. In a recent incident off the western coast of France, for example, a tanker initially refused to comply with orders to stop, which delayed the boarding operation.

According to a draft law released on Wednesday, France is set to double penalties for ships that fail to fly a flag or refuse to comply. An informed source said this was an attempt to strengthen measures against Russia's "shadow fleet".

The 'shadow fleet.' 

Since September, France has boarded three ships suspected of being part of the fleet transporting Russian oil. This violates Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. The move follows this event.

The 'shadow fleet' is known for its vessels frequently changing the flags they fly. This practice is known as 'flag-hopping,' and sometimes they sail under invalid flags in an attempt to escape detection and tracking.

#The 'shadow fleet#French government #Russian oil # The penalties #Ukraine #sanctions #illegal tanker operations