Mar 13 • 19:30 UTC 🇱🇻 Latvia LSM

Sweden Stops Potential Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker

Swedish authorities have detained a Russian citizen captain of a tanker linked to illicit activities, as investigations into the ship's operations continue.

Swedish authorities have recently detained a tanker named "Sea Owl I" that allegedly has connections to the Russian shadow fleet. The captain, a Russian citizen, has been arrested and is under investigation for suspicions related to forgery, serious criminal offenses, and violations of maritime law. The vessel was searched near Trelleborg, on Sweden's southern coast, highlighting concerns regarding its legitimacy and the nature of its operations in recent years.

The Swedish coast guard found that the tanker, flying the Comoros flag, had been transporting oil products between Russia and Brazil and was reportedly en route to Russia at the time of its detention. Following the search, authorities continue to question the crew members to gather more information about the ship's activities. The captain is scheduled for further questioning over the weekend, indicating the seriousness with which Swedish officials are treating this matter.

Additionally, the Russian ambassador in Stockholm confirmed that the crew would receive all necessary consular assistance amidst these proceedings. This incident comes on the heels of earlier actions taken by Swedish authorities, including the detention of another cargo ship named "Caffa" for carrying forged registration documents. The Swedish Transport Agency has subsequently imposed an operational ban on the tanker due to safety concerns, emphasizing the vigilance of the authorities in handling suspected maritime crimes.

📡 Similar Coverage