Italian Navy boards suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker west of Pantelleria
The ITS Thaon di Revel, flagship of EU operation Irini, intercepted the Cameroon-flagged Toa Payoh west of Pantelleria on 2 August to verify its nationality under UNCLOS Article 110.
The interception
On the morning of 2 August 2026, the Italian Navy's multipurpose patrol vessel ITS Thaon di Revel, flagship of the EU's Operation Eunavfor Med Irini, intercepted the tanker Toa Payoh west of the island of Pantelleria. The vessel, which claims Cameroon registration, had departed Cotonou, Benin on 16 July and was bound for Istanbul. It is subject to EU sanctions and identified by the Italian defence ministry as part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet", a network of aging tankers used to circumvent Western oil export restrictions. One Italian news report, however, referred to the ship as MV South Star and dated the incident to Monday 20 July, though the ministry's statement and other outlets placed the operation on 2 August. The tanker's voyage from West Africa to Turkey is a typical route for shadow fleet vessels moving Russian crude to markets outside the G7 price cap.
The boarding operation
The tanker's commander initially refused to cooperate, the ministry said. In response, an Italian military team boarded the vessel using an NH90 helicopter from the Thaon di Revel. The inspection lasted approximately two hours and was aimed at verifying the ship's nationality and the flag it is authorised to fly, as required under Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The operation concluded regularly and in full safety, with no injuries or damage reported.
- Tanker departs Cotonou, Benin, bound for Istanbul
- Intercepted west of Pantelleria by ITS Thaon di Revel
- Italian military team boards via helicopter after commander initially refuses cooperation
- Two-hour operation concludes; tanker proceeds to Tunis, not seized
Multinational support and legal basis
The boarding was carried out with the support of a Greek naval vessel and a Polish patrol aircraft, reflecting the collaborative nature of the EU mission. The operation took place in international waters and was conducted in full respect of UNCLOS, which allows a warship to board a foreign merchant vessel to verify its nationality when there are reasonable grounds for suspicion. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto praised the personnel involved, stating that the action demonstrated Italy's concrete contribution to Mediterranean security and the EU's enforcement efforts.
I wish to compliment the crew of Nave Thaon di Revel and all the military personnel involved in the operation for the professionalism, preparation and firmness demonstrated. This activity also concretely testifies to Italy's contribution to the security of the Mediterranean and to the action of the European Union.
Aftermath and ongoing verification
After the inspection, the tanker sailed to the port of Tunis, where it is currently located. It has not been placed under seizure. Italian authorities are now examining the information and documentation acquired during the boarding. The operation is part of the EU's increasingly proactive posture in intercepting vessels suspected of sanctions evasion, particularly those operating under flags of convenience. The shadow fleet has been a persistent challenge for Western sanctions regimes, with ships often changing flags and ownership to obscure their links to Russian oil exports. These vessels frequently operate with opaque insurance and safety records, raising environmental concerns in the Mediterranean. Operation Irini, launched in 2020, is the EU's maritime mission to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya, but its mandate has expanded to include monitoring sanctions compliance.
