Minister of Justice and the North Sea Annelies Verlinden followed the operation from the command post together with Francken and Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke. According to her, the action shows the importance of cooperation and maritime safety in the North Sea.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever congratulated the armed forces and thanked the French partners for their support. France previously held a similar tanker that was linked to the Russian shadow fleet. That fleet consists of ships that are used to circumvent international sanctions, including through unclear ownership structures or sailing under a different flag.
