Overview
- Belgian forces boarded the tanker overnight and are escorting it to Zeebrugge for seizure, according to Defence Minister Theo Francken.
- French involvement was later confirmed by President Emmanuel Macron, who said the navy worked with Belgian forces to board the vessel.
- Authorities suspect the ship operated under a false flag with forged documentation, and further details on its identity and cargo are pending.
- Belga reported the operation’s codename as Operation Blue Intruder, part of efforts against a sanctions‑evading shadow fleet that France estimates at 1,000–1,200 largely aging, higher‑risk ships.
- Prime Minister Bart de Wever praised the “successful operation” and said Belgium would uphold international maritime law and secure its territorial waters.