Swedish Coast Guard Boards Ship Feared Part of Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’
The Swedish Coast Guard has boarded a cargo ship, believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”, in the Baltic Sea. The Caffa, with a predominantly Russian crew, was sailing under a false flag and is listed on Ukraine’s sanctions list.
The Swedish authorities boarded the vessel in Swedish territorial waters on Friday to conduct searches and interviews. The ship had been flying the Guinean flag, but it has since been confirmed that the crew is mostly Russian. A person is currently under criminal investigation due to concerns over the ship’s seaworthiness.
What is Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’?
The “shadow fleet” refers to a network of aging tankers and vessels used by Russia to circumvent international sanctions. These ships are often bought second-hand, registered in non-sanctioning countries, and flagged in places like Gabon or the Cook Islands. Some of these vessels are owned by the Russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot.
Estimates suggest that over 400 ships can transport oil or products made from crude, such as diesel fuel and gasoline. These vessels don‘t hide their stops at Russian oil terminals, but it’s often unclear who exactly is behind the listed owners and what kind of safety practices and insurance they have.
Swedish Authorities Take Action
In response to concerns over Russia’s “shadow fleet”, Sweden last year announced plans to step up insurance checks on foreign ships passing through its territorial waters. The government tasked the Coast Guard and the Swedish Maritime Administration with collecting insurance information from vessels that call at Swedish ports, as well as those that pass through the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
The average age of these vessels is around 18 years, making them more vulnerable to accidents if they’re not well-maintained. The authorities have not confirmed whether the Caffa is part of this shadow fleet, but the boarding of the ship highlights Sweden’s efforts to tighten controls on foreign ships operating in its waters.
Conclusion
The boarding of the Caffa by Swedish authorities marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to crack down on Russia’s “shadow fleet”. As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be effective in curbing the flow of stolen Ukrainian grain or Russian oil. One thing is certain, however: Sweden’s actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding international sanctions and protecting its territorial waters from potential threats.
Original Article: Coastguard board ship feared part of ‘Russia’s shadow fleet’ over stolen grain — Co