France Detains 'Shadow Tanker' Boracay Linked to Copenhagen Airport Drone Attack

French Authorities Intercept Tanker Near Saint Nazaire

French authorities have detained the aframax tanker Boracay near Saint Nazaire, initiating an investigation into its potential connection to a recent drone invasion that disrupted operations at Copenhagen Airport. The vessel, also known by its previous name Pushpa, was intercepted over the weekend, prior to October 1, 2025, after its crew reportedly failed to provide proof of nationality and comply with official orders. Prosecutors in Brest, France, are currently reviewing information provided by the French Navy.

Investigation into Copenhagen Drone Incident

The detention stems from an inquiry into a significant drone incident that occurred on the evening of September 22, 2025, when two to three large drones were observed in the airspace around Copenhagen Airport (CPH). This forced a near four-hour suspension of flights, impacting approximately 150 flights and causing disruptions at Oslo Airport as well. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterized the event as 'the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date,' with Danish police describing the operator as 'capable.'

Danish authorities identified the Boracay, then sailing as Pushpa, as one of three ships potentially used as a launch point for the drones. Data from maritime analytics company Windward indicates that the Boracay was within 70 nautical miles of Copenhagen at the time of the drone incursion. Notably, just ten hours before the incident, the vessel reportedly changed its name from Pushpa and switched its flag from Malawi to Benin.

The 'Shadow Fleet' Profile of the Boracay

The Boracay is recognized as part of a 'shadow fleet' involved in the transportation of Russian crude oil. It was reportedly carrying Urals crude to Asia when detained. The vessel has been subject to sanctions by both the United Kingdom since October 2024 and the European Union since February 2025 due to its involvement in the Russian oil trade.

Built in 2007, the tanker began Russia-trading in November 2022 after joining the dark fleet via Gatik Ship Management. Its history includes multiple changes in identity and registration:

• It has operated under at least five different names, including Boracay, Pushpa, and Kiwala.
• It has cycled through at least seven different flags, such as Malawi, Benin, and Djibouti.
• It has had four registered owners and nine ISM managers since entering the dark fleet.

Earlier in 2025, Estonian authorities detained the tanker for sailing without a valid country flag and identified 40 deficiencies, primarily related to documentation and crew training.

Broader Implications of the Detention

The detention of the Boracay by French authorities underscores the increasing scrutiny on 'shadow fleet' operations and their potential links to activities threatening critical infrastructure. This incident represents a significant development in efforts to counter illicit shipping practices and investigate suspected hybrid attacks targeting European security.