Swedish Authorities Detain Third Shadow Fleet Vessel in a Month
Swedish authorities detained a shadow fleet tanker, Flora 1 (50,921 dwt), on suspicion that it caused an oil spill in the Swedish EEZ. The vessel was identified as a suspect after the Swedish Coast Guard detected an oil slick stretching at least 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) in the Baltic.
The Flora 1 was directed to anchor south of Ystad after being quickly identified as the suspect. This is the first time Swedish authorities have been able to trace an oil discharge to a vessel subject to sanctions. The tanker’s flag status is unclear, and its ownership is also uncertain, with Equasis reporting it is owned by Chinese interests in Hong Kong.
The Flora 1 was associated with Indian company Gatik Ship Management and reported to have made at least one ship-to-ship transfer at the end of 2024 after loading Russian oil at Ust-Luga. The UK sanctioned the tanker in February 2025, and the EU in July 2025. The ship underwent Port State inspections twice in 2024, with a long list of deficiencies and a two-week detention in the UK.
Investigation Underway
The Swedish Police and prosecutors are leading the investigation into the oil spill. One crewmember is reported to be being questioned among the 24 crew on board. The tanker departed Primorsk on March 31 and was declaring Santos, Brazil, as its destination on its AIS transmission.
Daniel Stenling, Deputy Head of Operations at the Coast Guard, said, “We act when we detect emissions. This is a result of our enhanced maritime surveillance that we are conducting as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea region.” He emphasized that if there is a suspicious vessel, they intervene to maintain order at sea and increase maritime safety.
Recent Detentions
Earlier in March, Swedish authorities detained a general cargo ship, Caffa, reporting it was sailing under a false flag. A week later, the Sea Owl 1, a product tanker inbound toward Russia, was also detained for operating under a false flag. The masters of both vessels have been arrested on charges that they presented false documents to the Swedish authorities. Both ships remain under detention and will not be released until they can prove legitimate registries and insurance and pass a Port State inspection.
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Original Article: Sweden Detains Third Shadow Fleet Vessel in a Month — The Maritime Executive