The "French" freighter is probably just registered in France. Ships can be registered in any country. A truly huge percentage of the ocean-going vessels are registered in some dinky island that no one has ever heard of. The country of registry doesn't indicate who owns it or who owns its cargo.
National governments only own their own warships, I think.
Yes..seems Liberian registration comes to mind.
"The "French" freighter is probably just registered in France. Ships can be registered in any country."
. . .true, but seriously doubt that the 'French connection' here is just 'happenstance'.
In moving materials such as this, cannot imagine that every aspect is not considered and contrived for the maximum protection of all involved.