Sweden has detained a bulk carrier that may be part of Russia's "shadow fleet"

The Swedish Coast Guard detained the sanctioned vessel Jin Hui off the coast of Trelleborg on suspicion that it belongs to Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The operation took place on Sunday, May 3, in the country’s territorial waters with the participation of police and aviation units. 

This was reported by Swedish Minister of Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin, according to SVT.

According to Swedish authorities, the bulk carrier Jin Hui is subject to sanctions by the EU, the UK, and Ukraine, and may have been flying a false flag at the time of its detention. In addition to sanctions, the intervention was prompted by suspicions of violations of maritime law and the vessel’s technical unseaworthiness. The vessel has now been towed to a berthing location for a detailed investigation.

Investigators and Coast Guard representatives are working on board the vessel, though no reports of crew members being detained have been made yet. This incident is part of European countries’ intensified monitoring of Russian maritime transport operations that circumvent international restrictions. The Swedish side emphasizes the importance of halting the activities of the “shadow fleet” to ensure environmental safety and compliance with the sanctions regime. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the National Operational Group.

Earlier, Swedish police officially seized the vessel Caffa, which had been held in the country’s territorial waters for two months. 

Swedish police stated that the vessel, detained by Sweden in the waters of the Baltic Sea, was sailing under a false flag and was suspected of violating maritime law and national ship safety regulations due to its unseaworthiness.