Italian vessel Thaon di Revel boarded a Russian shadow fleet tanker to inspect it in international waters near Pantelleria, an island located between Sicily and Tunisia.
The inspection was carried out by the Italian navy on Sunday morning, 2 August, as part of the Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, the European Union mission in the Mediterranean monitoring arms and oil trafficking.
The tanker Toa Payoh, which is subject to European Union sanctions and belongs to the so-called Russian 'shadow fleet', has undergone nationality verification, which for ships is determined by the flag they are authorised to fly. The Toa Payoh is sailing under the declared flag of Cameroon.
The tanker, which left the port of Cotonou in Benin on 16 July bound for Istanbul, was intercepted west of Pantelleria. According to the ministry's account, the tanker's master initially did not provide the requested cooperation. A team of Italian military personnel then reached the vessel by helicopter from the ship Thaon di Revel and carried out the planned checks.
"I would like to congratulate the crew of the ship Thaon di Revel and all the service personnel involved in the operation for the professionalism, preparation and resolve they have shown. This activity too is a concrete demonstration of Italy's contribution to the security of the Mediterranean and to the European Union's action," said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.
