A Moroccan tugboat, VB Spartel, began operations on Friday afternoon to tow a foreign oil tanker that had been disabled for nearly 27 hours within Morocco’s maritime monitoring area off Tangier’s coast (the Strait of Gibraltar), one of the world’s busiest and most sensitive shipping zones.
According to Spanish maritime media, the tanker, Chariot Tide, is classified as part of the so-called “Russian shadow fleet”. The tug joined the vessel after it became completely immobile, initiating the towing operation.
Spanish authorities placed the rescue ship Luz de Mar on standby near Spain’s southern coast, without direct involvement, to be ready in case of emergencies such as an oil spill or further complications.
The disabled tanker, built in 2007, measures approximately 195 meters in length, carries over 52,000 tons, and currently sails under the flag of Mozambique. Its final destination after the towing operation has not been confirmed, with reports differing between Tangier-Med port and removal from the international shipping lane in the Strait of Gibraltar to minimize risks.
Ship tracking data via AIS showed that the vessel had been moving at a very slow speed of 0.6 knots with a draft of 10.2 meters before authorities classified it as drifting, prompting heightened alert among maritime authorities.
The operation follows a similar intervention by the French Navy on Thursday, which intercepted the Russian oil tanker Grinch near Moroccan waters. The interception formed part of international efforts to monitor the so-called “shadow fleet”, used to circumvent sanctions.
The French Navy conducted a “right-of-visit” operation to verify the tanker’s flag and cargo ownership. French prosecutors ordered the vessel’s course to be redirected. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the interception on X, stating the operation complied fully with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law. A judicial investigation has been opened, and the tanker’s new destination remains undisclosed.
Macron emphasized that the operation reflects France’s commitment to ensuring compliance with international sanctions and highlighted the role of shadow fleet activities in funding Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
