Italian naval forces have carried out an inspection of a Russian-operated tanker in international waters off the coast of Pantelleria, the island between Sicily and Tunisia. The operation, conducted on Sunday morning, was part of the European Union's Mediterranean mission IRINI, which monitors arms and oil trafficking in the region.
The vessel targeted was the Toa Payoh, a tanker subject to EU sanctions and linked to the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The ship, which sails under the flag of Cameroon, was intercepted west of Pantelleria after departing from the port of Cotonou in Benin on 16 July, with Istanbul as its stated destination.
Inspection under international law
The Italian navy's ship Thaon di Revel led the operation, which involved verifying the tanker's nationality—a procedure that, for merchant vessels, is determined by the flag they are authorised to fly. According to the Italian Ministry of Defence, the tanker's master initially did not cooperate fully. A team of Italian military personnel was then flown by helicopter from the Thaon di Revel to the tanker to carry out the required checks.
The operation, which lasted roughly two hours, was conducted in international waters under the European mandate and in line with Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). That provision allows a naval vessel to verify a ship's nationality when certain conditions are met. The ministry said the inspection concluded routinely and without incident.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto praised the crew and all personnel involved, saying: "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."
The mission received support from a Greek vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft, underscoring the multinational character of the EU operation. IRINI, which has been active since 2020, is tasked with enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya and, more recently, with monitoring oil smuggling and other illicit trafficking in the central Mediterranean.
This boarding comes amid heightened EU scrutiny of the shadow fleet, a network of ageing tankers that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions on its oil exports. The vessels often change flags and ownership to obscure their activities, and the EU has been stepping up enforcement efforts. Similar actions have been reported in other European waters, including the Baltic, where Lithuania has tightened restrictions on pro-Kremlin individuals as part of broader countermeasures.
The incident also highlights the growing naval presence of EU member states in the Mediterranean, a region where security concerns have multiplied in recent years. The Italian navy's proactive stance reflects Rome's commitment to playing a leading role in European maritime security, a position echoed by Minister Crosetto's remarks.
While the Toa Payoh was allowed to continue its voyage after the inspection, the operation sends a clear signal that the EU is prepared to enforce its sanctions regime even in international waters. Analysts note that such boardings are likely to become more frequent as the bloc seeks to close loopholes exploited by the shadow fleet.
The EU's focus on maritime security has also been evident elsewhere, with recent attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz underscoring the global risks to shipping. In Europe, the IRINI mission remains a key tool for projecting stability in the southern neighbourhood, and Italy's role in it is central.
As the EU continues to grapple with the fallout of Russia's war in Ukraine, actions like this boarding serve as a tangible reminder of the bloc's resolve. The shadow fleet remains a significant challenge, but operations such as IRINI demonstrate that European navies are adapting to counter it.
