Milan, 2 Aug. (LaPresse) – A vessel from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ involved in the trade of sanctioned oil was intercepted on Sunday morning west of Pantelleria by the Italian Navy’s Thaon di Revel, the flagship of Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, the European Union’s mission in the Mediterranean. This was announced by the Ministry of Defence. The Thaon di Revel carried out an inspection of the oil tanker Toa Payoh, which is subject to EU sanctions and belongs to Moscow’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’, having set sail on 16 July from the port of Cotonou in Benin and bound for Istanbul. The operation, carried out with the support of a Greek vessel and a Polish patrol aircraft, lasted approximately two hours and concluded smoothly and safely. Checks are now underway on the information and documentation obtained during the inspection. “I would like to congratulate the crew of the Nave Thaon di Revel and all the military personnel involved in the operation for the professionalism, preparedness and resolve they demonstrated. This operation is further concrete evidence of Italy’s contribution to security in the Mediterranean and to the European Union’s efforts,” said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.
Defence: Navy boards Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessel west of Pantelleria
Milan, 2 Aug. (LaPresse) – A vessel from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ involved in the trade of sanctioned oil was intercepted on Sunday morning west of Pantelleria by the Italian Navy’s Thaon di Revel, the flagship of Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, the European Union’s mission in the Mediterranean. This was announced by the Ministry of Defence. The Thaon di Revel carried out an inspection of the oil tanker Toa Payoh, which is subject to EU sanctions and belongs to Moscow’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’, having set sail on 16 July from the port of Cotonou in Benin and bound for Istanbul. The operation, carried out with the support of a Greek vessel and a Polish patrol aircraft, lasted approximately two hours and concluded smoothly and safely. Checks are now underway on the information and documentation obtained during the inspection. “I would like to congratulate the crew of the Nave Thaon di Revel and all the military personnel involved in the operation for the professionalism, preparedness and resolve they demonstrated. This operation is further concrete evidence of Italy’s contribution to security in the Mediterranean and to the European Union’s efforts,” said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.
