Discover the Tagor: Ratings & Maritime News

French authorities confirmed the release of the captain of the 'Tagor' on June 5, following his arrest shortly after the tanker arrived near Brest on June 2. The captain's arrest sparked immediate protests from the Russian embassy in Paris, which labeled the accusations as unfounded. Investigations revealed that the 'Tagor' appears to have been operating under a false flag, raising significant legal concerns. The ship is facing alleged charges that could result in a one-year prison sentence and fines approaching $174,000. Prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger mentioned that continued investigations were essential for formally identifying the ship's owner, who may encounter similar penalties. It is believed that the 'Tagor' is linked to a clandestine network associated with Iran, specifically to the family of a late senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, who was killed in the early stages of the Iran conflict. In 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani for managing a network involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. The 'Tagor', which has been under sanctions from the USA, UK, and EU, has been listed with questionable registry documentation since at least August 2025, claiming connections to Guinea and Madagascar, while recent declarations to French authorities indicated registration in Cameroon. In response to the arrest, the Russian embassy called for consular access to the captain and his swift release. When seized on May 31, the 'Tagor' was reportedly transporting only ballast and heading towards Africa, although its AIS signal has since been removed. France defended its detainment of vessels linked to the Russian 'ghost fleet', referring to the action as a proactive measure in the fight against the evasion of sanctions against Moscow. The 'Tagor' marks the fourth vessel within this shadow fleet to be apprehended, following the 'Bourake', 'Guinch', and 'Deina' in prior months. These coordinated operations with European partners underscore a commitment to uphold international law and extend pressure on Russian maritime activities, as the EU has already sanctioned nearly 650 vessels involved in this clandestine network. Further measures are being formulated in collaboration with European and G7 allies.

On June 3, Russian authorities issued a strong demand for the release of the captain of the 'Targon', a tanker currently detained in France. The Russian embassy in Paris stated that the captain, who is a Russian national, had been arrested under what officials described as unfounded charges. In a formal statement, the embassy asserted, "The Embassy has once again contacted the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding immediate consular access to the Russian citizen and his prompt release." This incident has escalated tensions as Russia dismisses accusations regarding its vessels being part of a 'shadow fleet', asserting that its oil shipments are carried out legally. Furthermore, Moscow has condemned Western interventions in tanker operations, labeling these actions as illegal and reminiscent of piracy, cautioning that it maintains the right to safeguard its maritime interests.

The maritime landscape of Douarnenez Bay has a new focal point as the 'Tagor', a tanker suspected of displaying a false Cameroonian flag, arrived on June 2, 2023. This vessel was diverted off the coast of Brest on May 31, and has since been anchored in position 48° 11' N 004° 28' W, under the scrutiny of the public prosecutor, which is currently investigating allegations of flag violations and noncompliance with maritime orders. To facilitate a thorough inquiry, a maritime exclusion zone has been enforced around the vessel by the maritime prefect, ensuring the investigation proceeds under secure conditions. Additionally, given that the anchoring site lies within the P112 no-fly zone, all aerial overflights have been banned, with adherence to these regulations being monitored by units from both the Gendarmerie and the French Navy. Authorities have urged the public to respect these exclusion zones and avoid interfering with state services' operations. The 'Tagor' is anticipated to remain moored off the coast of Finistère for several days while the investigation continues. The Brest public prosecutor's office is slated to provide further details on June 3. On the same day, the Russian Embassy in France called on Paris to clarify the circumstances surrounding the vessel's detention and highlighted their efforts to safeguard Russian nationals among the crew. The embassy's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, characterized the detention as an instance of European legal nihilism, accusing French authorities of misinterpreting Article 110 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which governs the inspection of stateless ships in international waters but does not authorize their escort to the arresting nation’s port. For comprehensive coverage including images and videos of the incident, visit the following links: - [Ouest-France](https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/carburants-essence-diesel/flotte-fantome-russe-le-petrolier-arraisonne-par-la-france-est-arrive-en-bretagne-54b2c444-5e44-11f1-8faf-7476b4ff1e09) - [Kyiv Post](https://www.kyivpost.com/post/77345) - [Le Télégramme](https://www.letelegramme.fr/finistere/crozon-29160/ce-genre-de-navire-ne-me-rassure-pas-a-crozon-le-petrolier-russe-suscite-de-nombreuses-reactions-7055990.php) - [Ouest-France Video Coverage](https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/crozon-29160/video-soupconne-de-faire-partie-de-la-flotte-fantome-russe-un-petrolier-arraisonne-par-la-france-arrive-en-bretagne-8abf2091-0035-49df-ae06-e388c4bac8be)

In a significant move, the U.S. Treasury Department enacted sanctions in the final week of July 2025 targeting over 115 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran, many of which are engaged in the transportation of Russian oil. Among the affected tankers are the 'Tagor', 'Guanyin', and 'Tassos', all originally scheduled to deliver Russian oil to Indian ports this month, but now facing restrictions due to U.S. sanctioning. The 'Tagor' was set to reach Chennai, while the 'Guanyin' and 'Tassos' were destined for various western Indian ports, according to a combination of trade sources and data from Russian ports. These sanctions aim to cut into Russia’s oil revenue, which is perceived as a financial lifeline for its ongoing war efforts in Ukraine. As a result, these sanctions have started to disrupt Russian oil shipments to India, a nation that relies on Russia for over a third of its oil supply. Instead of their original destinations, the 'Tagor' has redirected to Dalian, while the 'Tassos' has altered its course towards Port Said. The 'Guanyin', however, continues its journey to Sikka, a key port frequently utilized by Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL.NS). Additionally, the tankers 'Achilles' and 'Elyte', loaded with Russian oil, have also been preparing to unload Russian Urals for Reliance, despite both facing sanctions from the United Kingdom and the European Union.