France is weighing tougher penalties for shipping registration breaches, with a draft law proposing penalties doubling up to two years’ imprisonment and fines up to €300,000, and higher penalties if lives are endangered.

Ukraine welcomed these measures and urged European allies to enable seizure of shadow fleet ships and repurposing their cargo for European security.

The sanction included a confiscation fine paid to Agrasc, with funds allocated to seized assets.

EU sanctions and enforcement target the phantom fleet to cut income from hydrocarbons funding Russia’s war.

France disclosed on April 16 that the tanker Deyna, tied to Russia’s so‑called ghost fleet and intercepted in the Mediterranean in March, was allowed to leave French waters after paying a fine.

The draft law would also impose harsher penalties, up to seven years and €700,000 in fines, when life or safety is at risk in sanctions evasion cases.

Authorities have not released further details about the Deyna’s current operations after its release.

This action follows earlier phantom fleet cases, such as the Grinch in January and the Pushpa/Boracay in September, which also faced fines and legal actions.

The Deyna was intercepted on March 20 in the Mediterranean with UK assistance, suspected of flying a false flag while sailing under a Mozambican registry with a route from northwest Russia.

The vessel had been immobilized in Fos-sur-Mer since March 23 after being seized amid scrutiny of shadow fleet activity.

The developments are framed within broader sanctions enforcement against Russia’s oil shipments and related US maritime actions.

Le Monde and the Marseille prosecutor’s office are cited to corroborate the events and their interpretation.