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The boarded ships "Caffa" (l) and "Sea Owl I" anchor next to each other off the coast of Sweden. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP/dpa - ATTENTION: For editorial use only and only with full attribution of the above credit
Keystone
For the second time in a short space of time, Swedish authorities have boarded a ship suspected of belonging to the Russian shadow fleet. The Russian captain of the tanker "Sea Owl I", which was searched off the coast of Trelleborg, was arrested, the public prosecutor's office announced in the evening. It had previously initiated investigations into "suspected forgery, serious criminal offenses and violations of maritime law".
"During the course of the day, we continued the search of the ship and questioned crew members," the public prosecutor's office announced. The captain of the ship is to be questioned again at the weekend. According to the Swedish Coast Guard, the tanker, which flew the flag of the Comoros, had been transporting oil products between Russia and Brazil in recent years and was reportedly on its way to Russia. The Russian ambassador in Stockholm assured the ship's crew of "all necessary consular assistance" on Friday, according to a statement to Swedish radio.
Just over a week ago, the Swedish authorities boarded a suspicious cargo ship in the region. The ship "Caffa" is said to have been on its way to St. Petersburg under a false flag and also belonged to the Russian shadow fleet. It is anchored off Trelleborg after the Swedish Transport Administration imposed an operating ban on the ship due to safety deficiencies. The captain is in custody on suspicion of forging documents.
Shadow fleet refers to tankers and other cargo ships that Russia uses to avoid sanctions, for example for oil transportation.
13.03.2026, 19:58
