This case constitutes Sweden's fifth consecutive intervention of this nature, and the third to focus on seaworthiness.

STOCKHOLM,  (Reuters) - The Swedish Coast Guard said on Sunday it had seized a tanker in the Baltic Sea ​believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, the ‌latest in a string of similar actions carried out in recent months by the country's authorities.

The Swedish Coast Guard said in a ​statement that it and police had boarded the Syrian-flagged ​Jin Hui (IMO 9430272, MMSI 468121000) in Swedish territorial waters south of ⁠Trelleborg and begun a preliminary investigation into a lack ​of seaworthiness.

"The coast guard suspects that the ship is sailing ​under a false flag, given there are several irregularities concerning its flag status, and therefore does not meet demands for ​seaworthiness as set out in international regulations and agreements," ​it said.

The destination was unclear

The coast guard said the ship, whose destination was unclear and which was thought to be carrying no cargo, was listed on several sanctions lists, including those of the European Union and Britain.

Carl-Oskar Bohlin, the Swedish Minister for Civil Defence, said the ship is suspected of being part of the Russian so-called shadow fleet and appears on the EU, UK, and Ukraine sanctions lists. Sweden boards sanctioned tanker Jin Hui over suspected false flag, Maritime Tickers

Jin Hui is of interest

The Coast Guard said Jin Hui is of interest for several reasons, including its presence on sanctions lists maintained by the European Union and the UK. Authorities suspect the ship may be falsely flagged because of uncertainties over its flag status, potentially leaving it short of seaworthiness requirements under international rules and agreements. 

 This case constitutes Sweden's fifth consecutive 

This case constitutes Sweden's fifth consecutive intervention of this nature, and the third to focus on seaworthiness. According to the Coast Guard, it has the power to order the tanker to anchor in Swedish territorial waters, in an area designated south of Trelleborg.

The Swedish Coast Guard is a Swedish state authority responsible for maritime surveillance, environmental response, rescue coordination support, and law enforcement at sea.  

The Swedish Police is Sweden’s national police authority, responsible for public order, criminal investigations, and operational support in enforcement actions, including maritime cases involving suspected offences.

Fifth boarding

Right now, the Coast Guard is on board with personnel to investigate possible crimes, and there we are carrying out the investigative measures that have been decided by prosecutors, the Coast Guard's press officer Mattias Lindholm told TT.

This is the fifth such boarding in recent months. Lindholm says there is a constant exchange of information with other countries and that ships that can be described as part of the shadow fleet have “increased in scope” in recent years.

The fact that we have boarded so many ships also has to do with the fact that we have a significantly better knowledge base than before. We have better opportunities to handle information and have received more legislation and support for it. But intervening against international shipping is not something you do lightly, says Lindholm.

In recent months

In recent months, several ships with various connections to Russia have been boarded by the Coast Guard. Several of them are suspected of being part of the so-called Russian shadow fleet, which is usually defined as a collection of older tankers that evade sanctions.

+ March 6. Bulk carrier Caffa is boarded. Suspected of being falsely flagged and lacking seaworthiness. The Russian captain is detained, suspected of using a false document, but is later released. Sanctioned by Ukraine.

+ March 12. The tanker Sea Owl 1 is boarded. Similar suspicions as against Caffa. The Russian commander is arrested. Sanctioned by the EU.

+ April 3. The tanker Flora 1 is boarded. Suspected of environmental crimes in the form of oil spills and question marks over its flagging, but the investigations were later closed, and the ship was released. Sanctioned by the EU.

+ April 12. Bulk carrier Hui Yuan is boarded. Suspected environmental crime. Master admits to the crime. Panamanian-flagged ship allowed to continue.

+ May 3. The tanker Jin Hui is boarded. Suspected of lacking seaworthiness. Identified as part of the shadow fleet. Sanctioned by the EU, the UK, and Ukraine.

Image : Vessel Finder

#The tanker Jin Hui #Bulk carrier Caffa #Swedish Coast Guard #European Union # Swedish territorial waters#Carl-Oskar Bohlin #similar actions #Shadow Fleet#Sweden's fifth consecutive #Mattias Lindholm