Sweden announced plans to increase insurance checks on foreign ships, aiming to tighten controls on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of aging vessels used to transport oil, gas, and stolen Ukrainian grain.

STOCKHOLM (AP) — On Sunday, a Swedish court ordered the detention of the Russian captain of a ship suspected of sailing under a false flag in the Baltic Sea. Authorities boarded the ship last week .On Friday, the commander of the Sea Owl 1(IMO 9321172, MMSI 620800094 -sailing under the flag of Comoros. according to VesselFinder ) was taken into custody. This individual's name has not been disclosed. This development occurred a day after the Swedish coast guard boarded the vessel in the waters near Trelleborg, which is located on Sweden's southern coast.

Using a false document,

He is suspected of using a false document, according to prosecutors. According to a report by the Swedish news agency TT, the district court in Ystad ordered him to be held in custody, as had been requested. The Comoros-flagged tanker was sailing off the coast of East Africa. However, the coast guard suspects that it is not registered with the Comoros shipping registry. Therefore, there is no flag state to vouch for the safety of the ship.

The tanker is on the EU sanctions list 

The Swedish  coast guard has intervened against suspected violations of maritime law, with the aim of protecting safety on our seas. The operation has taken place against vessels with suspected false flags and lack of seaworthiness. Sea Owl I is on the EU sanctions list. In the case of the Caffa, the deficiencies on board the vessel have proven so serious that the Swedish Transport Agency has decided on a ban on use – the vessel may not continue its voyage until the deficiencies have been rectified. It is not possible to say today whether the Swedish Transport Agency may also issue such a ban regarding the Sea Owl I.

Extensive Investigations

The Swedish Prosecution Authority in Malmö is leading the criminal investigations concerning crimes of lack of seaworthiness, use of false documentation (a serious crime), and further violations of the Maritime Act. The Swedish Coast Guard is carrying out the investigative measures announced by the prosecutor. Due to the secrecy of preliminary investigations, the authorities are restricted in sharing information relating to the suspected crimes. The prosecutor will provide more information when the investigation reaches a suitable stage.

The second vessel sailing 

In a week, it was the second vessel sailing in Swedish territorial waters to be investigated by the coast guard under suspicion of using a false flag. The cargo ship Caffa, which has a mostly Russian crew, is accused of transporting stolen grain while on Ukraine’s sanctions list. The captain has also been detained on suspicion of using a false document.

Tighten controls on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” 

Last year, Sweden announced plans to increase insurance checks on foreign ships, aiming to tighten controls on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of aging vessels used to transport oil, gas, and stolen Ukrainian grain.

This incident follows an investigation into the Caffa, a vessel that authorities are examining for suspected involvement in false-flag operations near Trelleborg.

Related :EU : A new strict measures against the so-called “shadow fleet"

Sea Owl I Fact Sheet

Related : New Zealand's Government launches a new package of sanctions against Russia

The tanker was involved in the export of Russian oil and petroleum products from Russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on Russian oil and petroleum products. The vessel is affiliated with the sanctioned Cypriot company Lagosmarine Ltd., which was the tanker's manager from March 2024 to January 2025. 

Lagosmarine Ltd was hit with sanctions by the United States in January 2025 due to its involvement in the Russian Federation's energy sector and its role as the technical manager of an oil tanker that repeatedly docked at a Russian port. The price of oil at this port frequently exceeded the established limit. In August 2025, Ukraine also imposed sanctions on Lagosmarine Ltd., a Cypriot company.

Related : Magdy Sadek : Map of shadow financial networks for shipping

The management of the tanker underwent several changes. In March 2024, Drimas Chartering Co. (Marshall Islands) became the owner of the vessel and assumed commercial management. In October 2025, Queenship Ltd. (China) took over technical management and currently operates a single tanker, IMO 9224439. On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom sanctioned the vessel. On October 24, 2025, the European Union followed suit. On December 13, 2025, Switzerland and Ukraine also imposed sanctions on the vessel. Finally, on February 19, 2026, Canada joined the list of sanctioning countries

About : .The Swedish Coast Guard

.The Swedish Coast Guard works for a sustainable marine environment and the improvement of safety at sea. We operate along the entire coastline of Sweden, where we rescue, assist and monitor - around the clock, all year round. To achieve this goals, They use aircraft, large and small vessels and vehicles on land, 

 About : The Swedish Prosecution Authority 

The Swedish Prosecution Authority constitutes the national entity entrusted with the oversight of criminal investigations and the prosecution of cases in Sweden's judicial system. Prosecutors operate independently when assessing evidence and may request pretrial detention if they believe a suspect will interfere with the investigation or evade legal proceedings.

Related :A suspected Russian "shadow fleet" tanker was seized in the North Sea

Source : Press - Release + Agencies

#Swedish Coast Guard #Swedish Prosecution Authority #Lagosmarine Ltd #Shadow Fleet #Russia #Sea Owl I #Caffa vessel #Swedish court #Russian captain #EU sanctions list #false document,