Sweden tightens grip on Russian shadow fleet in Baltic Sea
Starting from Sunday, Sweden will intensify checks on foreign ships in the Baltic Sea to counter threats from the Russian shadow fleet. Recently, these checks have come into the spotlight due to disruptions of cables running beneath the sea.
Sweden is introducing new regulations to allow tighter control of foreign ships in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to address threats posed by the Russian shadow fleet. The new rules enable the collection of information regarding the insurance of ships passing through Swedish territorial waters and the economic zone.
It is important to note that the shadow fleet consists of ships under foreign flags—often from exotic countries—that are essentially Russian. They have recently gained attention following incidents involving the disruption of power and fibre optic cables beneath the Baltic Sea.
As previously outlined, there are four main gas pipelines traversing the Baltic, around 30 international power cables, and 15 fibre optic cables. Additionally, 10 gas ports and 18 offshore wind farms are operational, with more under construction in Polish waters. Their connection to the mainland involves approximately 125 miles of new power and telecommunications cables. These infrastructures are threatened by the so-called shadow fleet. This term also refers to ships transporting Russian raw materials, circumventing sanctions.
Sweden strikes at the Russian shadow fleet
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasised that the new law increases Sweden's presence in the Baltic, acting as a deterrent. Moreover, Sweden and its allies gain access to crucial information, which can be instrumental in expanding the sanctions list against the Russian shadow fleet.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer reminded us that the shadow fleet operates by evading international regulations. Russia employs old tankers under the flags of exotic countries, often with invalid insurance documents, posing an environmental risk in the event of an oil spill.
Russian shadow fleet: Ships under foreign flags
An analysis by Swedish Television (SVT) revealed that on 21 May, the day EU sanctions were introduced, at least 19 vessels of the shadow fleet were in the Baltic and North Seas. A tanker named Sun, registered in Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, was spotted near Gotland.
Commander Erik Kockx from NATO reported suspicious manoeuvres by Russian merchant ships in the Baltic. During Operation "Baltic Sentry," it was observed that the ships' strange behaviours would cease when NATO ships approached them.
Currently, the EU blacklist includes 342 suspicious vessels. The enhanced checks aim to prevent potential acts of sabotage on underwater cables and pipelines.
