The Swedish Coast Guard announced the seizure of a tanker in the Baltic Sea, believed to be linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. This action is part of a broader effort by Swedish authorities to address maritime irregularities. The Syrian-flagged vessel, Jin Hui, was boarded in Swedish territorial waters south of Trelleborg, where officials initiated a preliminary investigation into its seaworthiness.
The Coast Guard suspects the tanker is operating under a false flag, citing several irregularities related to its flag status that violate international regulations. The ship, which appeared to be carrying no cargo and had an unclear destination, is listed on various sanctions lists, including those from the EU and Britain.
Swedish Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, indicated that the vessel is suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet. European nations have intensified efforts to disrupt these tankers, which are used by Moscow to support its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia has condemned these actions as hostile.
This year, Sweden has detained five vessels for various offenses, including oil spills and sailing under false flags, and has initiated criminal proceedings against some crew members.
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