Sweden Seizes Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel Off Trelleborg Coast

(MENAFN) Swedish authorities intercepted and boarded a vessel linked to Russia's shadow fleet near the southern port town of Trelleborg on Sunday, marking the latest enforcement action against sanctioned maritime operations in the region.

The Swedish Coast Guard detained the ship, identified as the Jin Hui, on suspicion that it was operating under a false flag — a tactic commonly used by vessels seeking to conceal their true ownership or origin.

Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin confirmed the operation in a post on X, the US social media platform owned by Elon Musk.

"The Coast Guard has today boarded another vessel suspected of being part of the Russian shadow fleet. The vessel is named Jin Hui and is suspected of sailing under a false flag," Bohlin said.

Authorities are also investigating serious compliance failures aboard the ship, including concerns over its structural safety and a lack of valid maritime insurance coverage.

Bohlin further underscored the vessel's standing with international regulators, stating: "Jin Hui is listed on the sanctions lists of the EU, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine."

The seizure adds to growing European efforts to crack down on Russia's shadow fleet — a network of vessels allegedly used to circumvent Western sanctions and continue transporting Russian oil exports despite international restrictions.

MENAFN04052026000045017169ID1111065861