Swedish authorities have boarded and taken control of a second suspected shadow fleet tanker in less than a week in the Baltic Sea. The Swedish Coast Guard intercepted the 228-metre MV Sea Owl I near the southern port city of Trelleborg on Thursday after suspecting the vessel was operating under a false flag.
The tanker was sailing under the Comorian flag, but authorities believe the registration may not be legitimate. The vessel is also included on sanctions lists in several jurisdictions, including the European Union.
Officials said the intervention was necessary because ships operating without clear legal status pose risks to maritime safety and the environment. The Baltic Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping regions and is considered particularly vulnerable to environmental damage in the event of an accident involving large oil tankers.
The boarding of Sea Owl I follows another operation by Swedish authorities last week involving the vessel Caffa, which was sailing under a Guinean flag and was also intercepted near Trelleborg. The two incidents have intensified concerns that ships linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet are increasingly operating in the Baltic Sea to transport oil while avoiding Western sanctions. Swedish authorities believe the tanker may be connected to that network of vessels.
Following the boarding, Swedish prosecutors opened an investigation into the ship’s captain, who is a Russian citizen. Authorities said the investigation concerns suspected use of false documents, possible serious offences, and violations of Sweden’s maritime legislation. Investigators are continuing to search the vessel, examine ship documentation and question crew members in order to determine the vessel’s true registration status and operational background.
No one has been detained so far, and the investigation remains ongoing.
