The maritime boarding operation took place on the morning of Oct. 12, more than 450 nautical miles south of the French overseas department of Réunion Island.
"France is determined to fight the shadow fleet across the globe," Macron wrote.
"This morning, more than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion Island, the French Navy detained the oil tanker DF Peak, which is suspected of sailing under a false flag and participating in illegal fuel trafficking."
The French president emphasized that naval boarding teams conducted the operation in strict accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international maritime law.
"This action demonstrates our determination to enforce the rule of law and combat all forms of illicit trafficking, wherever they occur," Macron added.
Allied Enforcement Against the Shadow Fleet
EU interception in August: On Aug. 31, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas confirmed that European Union naval forces intercepted a commercial tanker suspected of operating as part of Russia's illicit "shadow fleet."
Royal Navy monitoring in the English Channel: On Aug. 29, The Guardian reported that the UK Royal Navy completed a three-day shadowing operation tracking four Russian vessels traversing UK territorial waters from the North Sea through the Strait of Dover and English Channel.