Sweden tightens ship monitoring in the Baltic to counter Russia
Starting on Sunday, Sweden is tightening its control of foreign ships in the Baltic Sea to counter threats posed by the Russian shadow fleet. This fleet recently gained attention due to disruptions involving undersea cables.
Sweden is implementing new regulations for stricter monitoring of foreign ships in the Baltic Sea. The goal is to counter threats from the Russian shadow fleet. These new regulations allow for the collection of information on the insurance of ships passing through Swedish territorial waters and the economic zone.
The shadow fleet consists of ships under foreign flags—often from exotic countries—that are essentially Russian. These ships gained attention due to incidents involving disruptions of power and fiber optic cables under the Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Sea includes four main pipelines, about 30 international power cables, and 15 fiber optic cables. Additionally, there are 10 gas terminals and 18 offshore wind farms in operation, with more projects underway in Polish waters. Their connection to land comprises about 124 miles of new power and telecommunication cables. These connections are threatened by the so-called shadow fleet, which also refers to ships transporting Russian resources while circumventing sanctions.
Sweden strikes at the Russian shadow fleet
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that the new law increases Sweden's presence in the Baltic Sea, acting as a deterrent. Additionally, Sweden and its allies gain access to key information that could be used to expand the sanctions list against the Russian shadow fleet.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer noted that the shadow fleet operates by circumventing international regulations. Russia uses old tankers under flags of exotic countries, often with invalid insurance documents, which poses a significant environmental risk in the event of an oil spill.
Russian shadow fleet: Ships under foreign flags
An analysis by Swedish TV SVT revealed that on May 21, the day EU sanctions were introduced, at least 19 shadow fleet ships were in the Baltic and North Sea. Near Gotland, the tanker Sun, registered in the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda, was spotted.
Commander Erik Kockx from NATO reported suspicious maneuvers by Russian merchant ships in the Baltic Sea. During the "Baltic Sentry" operation, it was observed that unusual ship behaviors ceased when NATO vessels approached.
Currently, the EU blacklist includes 342 suspected ships. Enhanced controls aim to prevent potential acts of sabotage on submarine cables and pipelines.
