The Swedish Coast Guard has detained a tanker in the Baltic Sea on suspicion of flying a false flag
The Swedish Coast Guard has reported the detention of a tanker in the Baltic Sea which, according to preliminary assessments, may be linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
According to the agency, the Syrian-flagged vessel ‘Jin Hui’ was stopped in Swedish territorial waters south of Trelleborg. Coastguard officers, together with the police, boarded the vessel and began a preliminary investigation into possible violations of maritime regulations.
The statement notes that there are indications the vessel is flying a foreign flag. A number of discrepancies regarding its status have also been recorded, meaning it may not comply with international rules and agreements on maritime safety.
According to the coastguard, the vessel’s final destination has not been established, and there is likely no cargo on board. The vessel also appears on the sanctions lists of the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Swedish Minister for Civil Defence Carl Oskar Bolin separately noted that the vessel is suspected of belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
European countries have recently stepped up measures to counter such tankers, which, in their view, are being used to finance the war against Ukraine.
According to Swedish authorities, five vessels have been detained in the country since the start of the year on suspicion of various violations, including oil spills or the use of a foreign flag. In some cases, criminal proceedings have been initiated against crew members.
