A French court in Brest sentenced Chen Zhangjie, the 39-year-old Chinese captain of the tanker Boracay, to one year in prison and a €150,000 ($172,000) fine for failing to comply with naval boarding orders in September 2025.
The vessel, claiming to be flagged in Benin, was thought to be part of a fleet transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, was intercepted by the French navy off Brittany.
Key Details:
- Conviction: The captain was sentenced in absentia for refusing to stop his vessel for inspection.
- The Incident: In September 2025, the Boracay was sailing in international waters without a visible flag. The captain delayed boarding, claiming to wait for instructions from the owner.
- Shadow Fleet Involvement: The vessel is believed to be transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions.
- Russian Reaction: Russian President Vladimir Putin previously labeled the boarding of the vessel as “piracy”.
- Defense Argument: The captain’s lawyer argued that France lacked jurisdiction in international waters and announced an intention to appeal.
- Vessel Status: The tanker was initially released, but later reports indicated it was renamed Phoenix.