Following on from the support delivered to the French Armed Forces through the seizure of the Russian-flagged tanker MV Grinch in January 2026, the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron (RNGS) has once again contributed to French maritime interdiction operations - this time through the monitoring of MV DEYNA as she entered the Mediterranean Sea.

HMS CUTLASS, one of two Royal Navy Patrol Launches permanently operating from His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Gibraltar, intercepted the vessel as it emerged from the Gibraltar Strait Traffic Separation Scheme. The ship was then shadowed as it transited less than 5 nautical miles from Gibraltar.

The Commanding Officer of RNGS, Lt Cdr Davies RN, said: “This is the second monitoring mission the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron has conducted in direct support of our NATO allies in 2026. It is hugely important to the United Kingdom’s and our partners’ security that we maintain a presence in the region and make full use of our strategic location — reassuring both Gibraltarians and our allies that we remain firmly committed to ensuring maritime security.”

The vessel, which is subject to international sanctions and transport restrictions, is now under French control.