Italian-Led EU Force Boards Sanctioned Tanker Toa Payoh in 2-Hour Mediterranean Operation
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Independent · Aug 2
Italian-Led EU Force Boards Sanctioned Tanker Toa Payoh in 2-Hour Mediterranean Operation
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Independent · Aug 2
Summary
Italian frigate Thaon di Revel boarded the sanctioned tanker Toa Payoh on Aug. 2 in international waters west of Pantelleria, with the vessel’s documents still under verification and no detention announced.
The boarding came after the captain initially refused to provide requested papers, prompting Operation IRINI to inspect the ship’s nationality while it sailed under a Cameroonian flag.
Greek naval support and Polish maritime patrol aircraft backed the two-hour operation, which Italy’s Defense Ministry said was completed smoothly and safely.
Operation IRINI, launched in 2020 for the Libya arms embargo, has broadened to target Russian shadow fleet activity; after a fourth Mediterranean boarding on July 20, the EU also cleared a joint Indian Ocean mission to intercept suspected tankers.
The move fits the EU’s 21st sanctions package, which lets member states sell crude, grain and other cargo seized from shadow fleet vessels, cutting revenue from oil exports that Moscow uses to fund its war in Ukraine.