Following the Ukraine war, the EU has imposed sanctions on Russia that limit its ability to sell oil. In response, Russia has amassed a fleet of older oil tankers to transport oil to countries willing to accept it. This maneuver has resulted in a significant increase in maritime traffic through the Baltic Sea, raising concerns about safety and environmental risks due to the often poor condition of these vessels. Recent docking operations have highlighted the risks associated with this shadow fleet, as incidents involving armed personnel have been reported on some of the ships.

On March 6, the Swedish Coast Guard, alongside a national intervention unit, boarded a suspiciously flagged cargo ship named Caffa in the Baltic Sea off Trelleborg. This operation, dubbed "Black Coffee," resulted in the ship being issued an international prohibition of use by the Swedish Transport Agency and it is currently detained near Trelleborg. Only days later, on March 12, authorities boarded another tanker, the Sea Owl 1, further intensifying efforts to monitor and control the situation surrounding these shadow fleet operations.

These actions underscore the escalating surveillance and enforcement activities aimed at mitigating the risks posed by these ships operating under questionable flags and conditions. The ongoing situation not only highlights the complexity of maritime law but also raises geopolitical tensions in the region as Sweden and other Baltic nations deal with the implications of Russia's evasion tactics. The presence of unregulated vessels in these waters poses not only environmental hazards but potentially also security threats given the reported presence of armed personnel on certain ships.