On March 6, the Swedish Coast Guard seized a cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea, near Trelleborg, and detained one crew member. The Coast Guard determined that the ship, which was flying a false Guinean flag, is effectively stateless, meaning the principle of innocent passage does not apply. Concerns about the vessel’s seaworthiness arose, as no flag state could guarantee its adherence to maritime safety standards.
On March 7, authorities arrested a crew member aboard the vessel, suspecting violations of maritime safety laws and the use of false documentation, which are serious offenses. The Coast Guard had been monitoring the ship for some time and confirmed the initial concerns that led to the intervention.
Daniel Stenling, Deputy Chief of Operations at the Swedish Coast Guard, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that vessels with significant deficiencies pose threats to maritime safety, traffic, and the environment. He stated that the findings aboard the ship reinforced suspicions of extensive operational deficiencies.
As the investigation progresses, prosecutors have taken over the preliminary inquiry, with the Coast Guard continuing its work under their directives. The vessel remains anchored in Swedish waters while investigations continue, with collaboration from the Swedish Transport Agency, which conducted a port state control on March 8.
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