An EU naval mission led by Italy boarded a Russian-linked tanker on August 2 as part of ongoing efforts to enforce European sanctions targeting vessels suspected of facilitating Moscow’s circumvention of oil restrictions. The operation took place west of the Sicilian island of Pantelleria, involving the tanker Toa Payoh, which had recently come under EU sanctions.

According to Italy’s Defence Ministry, the Toa Payoh was intercepted while en route from Benin to Istanbul. The vessel had reportedly switched its registration to Cameroon only the previous week, prompting maritime authorities to verify the legitimacy of its flag registration and associated documentation. The inspection lasted approximately two hours and involved Italian military personnel boarding the tanker from a helicopter deployed by the flagship of the EU naval mission, the Thaon di Revel. The operation received logistical support from a Greek naval vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft.

Initial resistance was reported from the tanker’s captain during the boarding; however, the inspection was ultimately completed without incident. While the EU mission—named EUNAVFOR MED Irini—does not have the authority to seize vessels during such inspections, materials collected during the boarding are currently under review and may be used by national authorities for potential follow-up actions, including vessel sequestration.

This latest boarding marks the second such intervention in under two weeks. On July 20, EUNAVFOR MED Irini forces inspected the MV South Star, another tanker connected to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” amid concerns the vessel was operating under a false flag to evade sanctions.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on numerous ships believed to be part of this shadow fleet, which Moscow allegedly uses to bypass restrictions on its oil exports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. EUNAVFOR MED Irini, established in 2020 primarily to enforce a UN arms embargo on Libya, has seen its mandate expanded by EU member states to include broader verification and boarding operations targeting suspected sanctions violations.

No immediate response was received from Russian officials regarding the recent Toa Payoh boarding.