Russian-Linked Vessels Avoiding Swedish Waters After Boardings
Oil tankers transporting Russian crude through the Baltic Sea have been steering clear of Swedish waters after the Nordic nation began boarding vessels at sea to check their papers.
Ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show that of 22 sanctioned tankers on the route since April 7, 13 sailed south of the Danish island of Bornholm instead of the more usual northern passage closer to Sweden they’ve used previously. This marks a clear shift in routing as tankers suspected of being part of the fleet carrying Russian oil appear to adjust course to avoid a Swedish clampdown.
Increased Scrutiny Forces Ships to Take New Routes
The data, which chime with the findings in a recent report by Swedish broadcaster TV4, are a further sign that more aggressive monitoring of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet is forcing the ships to take new, potentially longer routes with greater fuel costs. The change in the Baltic Sea follows boardings by the Swedish coast guard of several vessels in March and early April after suspicions that they were sailing under false flags.
Russian Shadow Fleet Adjusts Course
These vessels, which are often poorly maintained, patchily insured, and opaquely flagged, are seen as a key means for Russia to continue to export crude to fund its war in Ukraine. Russia turned to this fleet after sanctions caused a lot of mainstream tankers to shun the country’s cargoes. Western nations have since begun directly sanctioning parts of the shadow fleet.
Swedish Prime Minister Weighs In
Speaking Wednesday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the value of Sweden and other countries regularly boarding vessels from the Russian shadow fleet should not be underestimated. “This both protects Swedish waters and makes the shadow fleet’s operations more difficult,” he said during a parliamentary committee session. “To limit Russian income from energy exports is the most effective way to force Putin to the negotiating table,” he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Denmark Takes a Different Approach
Critically, though, Denmark is taking a less-muscular approach than its neighbor. While Copenhagen has increased scrutiny of the tankers, officials have stopped short of blocking or boarding ships suspected of being part of the shadow fleet.
Original Article: Russia-Linked Vessels Avoiding Swedish Waters After Boardings | Financial Post — Financialpost