Chinese Captain Of Shadow Fleet Tanker Jailed In France After Failing To Comply With Naval Orders

A French court has sentenced the captain of a suspected Russian “shadow fleet” tanker to one year in prison and issued an arrest warrant after he failed to comply with naval orders to stop his vessel.

The ruling was delivered by a criminal court in Brest against 39-year-old Chinese national Chen Zhangjie, who was tried in absentia as he remained at sea during the proceedings. The court also imposed a fine of €150,000.

The captain was in charge of the tanker Boracay when French forces intercepted it in September 2025 in international waters off the coast of Brest.

The vessel was reportedly sailing without a clear flag and was suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions.

French authorities ordered the ship to halt and prepare for inspection. Prosecutors said the captain did not follow instructions, forcing military personnel to carry out a complex boarding operation.

Officials described the manoeuvre as risky and said it could have led to an accident.

Despite the resistance, French forces boarded the vessel and diverted it to Saint-Nazaire for further inspection. The ship and crew were released after several days.

Investigators found that the tanker was claiming to sail under the flag of Benin, raising doubts about its registration.

The vessel had departed from Primorsk, a key Russian Baltic Sea oil export port, and was reportedly carrying cargo worth around $100 million.

Two Russian nationals working for a private security company were also on board. Sources said they were tasked with representing Russian interests and collecting information.

The vessel has also been linked to drone sightings reported over Denmark in 2025, which affected air traffic and nearby military areas. However, no official link has been confirmed, and Russia has denied any involvement.

During the trial, the captain’s lawyer argued that the vessel was operating in international waters and that France did not have the legal right to take action.

The defence said the captain had been waiting for instructions from the shipowner before allowing boarding.

The court rejected these arguments and proceeded with the conviction. Legal representatives have indicated plans to appeal the decision, calling it unprecedented under French law.

The European Union has listed 598 vessels suspected to be part of this network and has banned them from entering EU ports or using related maritime services.

After the incident, the Boracay was renamed Phoenix and is now reported to be sailing under the Russian flag.

References: France24, Politico