The 'ghost fleet' comprises about 10% of the global commercial shipping fleet and is growing. Russia uses these 'ghost ships' extensively to export oil, circumventing international sanctions and potentially supporting hybrid disruptive campaigns against European countries. France has adopted a proactive strategy, including interdictions and seizures of vessels such as BORACAY (Sep 2025), GRINCH, DEYNA, and TAGOR (May 2026), aiming to obstruct Russia's war financing through illegal oil sales, prevent hybrid platform use, and reduce human and environmental risks associated with substandard vessels near French maritime approaches. France also coordinates with European partners, leading to 14 European interdictions since April 2025, demonstrating Europe's growing defensive capabilities against hybrid threats outside direct military conflict. Challenges include risks of Russian retaliation, operational constraints in high seas interdictions, and complex maritime legal frameworks. Future measures could involve enhanced European intelligence sharing, more robust legal tools, and diplomatic efforts to engage maritime registry states. The report also notes concern about Russia potentially reflagging ghost ships under Russian or allied flags, complicating enforcement. The wider effort to counter the ghost fleet aligns with safeguarding legitimate international maritime commerce and addresses a broader multinational security issue.

The 'ghost fleet' comprises about 10% of the global commercial shipping fleet and is growing. Russia uses these 'ghost ships' extensively to export oil, circumventing international sanctions and potentially supporting hybrid disruptive campaigns against European countries. France has adopted a proactive strategy, including interdictions and seizures of vessels such as BORACAY (Sep 2025), GRINCH, DEYNA, and TAGOR (May 2026), aiming to obstruct Russia's war financing through illegal oil sales, prevent hybrid platform use, and reduce human and environmental risks associated with substandard vessels near French maritime approaches. France also coordinates with European partners, leading to 14 European interdictions since April 2025, demonstrating Europe's growing defensive capabilities against hybrid threats outside direct military conflict. Challenges include risks of Russian retaliation, operational constraints in high seas interdictions, and complex maritime legal frameworks. Future measures could involve enhanced European intelligence sharing, more robust legal tools, and diplomatic efforts to engage maritime registry states. The report also notes concern about Russia potentially reflagging ghost ships under Russian or allied flags, complicating enforcement. The wider effort to counter the ghost fleet aligns with safeguarding legitimate international maritime commerce and addresses a broader multinational security issue.