France’s seizure of Deliver came during heightened unusual activity in Hurd’s Bank

Jun 28, 2026

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The seizure of the Russian shadow-fleet tanker Deliver by France on Tuesday last week came amid heightened and unusual activity at Hurd’s Bank.

Over the past two weeks, the number of oil tankers anchoring at Hurd’s Bank has increased, along with the passage of oil vessels attempting to conceal the provenance of their cargo — much of which may have originated from Russia. Benghazi is also taking a share of the oil sales at Hurd’s Bank, as vessels carrying oil cargo from Benghazi have also visited Hurd’s Bank to sell their cargo.

In addition, the Deyna was not the only Russian shadow-fleet vessel to traverse the Maltese coast. Other sanctioned vessels also travelled through the Sicilian Channel during the same week.

Maltese bunkerers are increasingly switching off their transponders as they arrive at Hurd’s Bank, and then switching them back on after they enter designated Maltese waters. Many vessels buying oil cargo at Hurd’s Bank and continuing their journey to other countries remain, as usual, in the practice of switching off their transponders when entering Hurd’s Bank.

The arrival of the French navy in the Sicilian Strait indicates that France is extending its enforcement operations beyond its shores and is now monitoring activity in the region. Increased enforcement of sanctions is also expected.

Heightened activity at Hurd’s Bank and increased enforcement have also followed the public documentation of Russian oil trading in the area.