Swedish coast guard boards fifth vessel since March amid heightened Baltic Sea tensions

The Swedish Coast Guard has boarded five vessels since March, with the latest operation over the weekend leading to the arrest of a Chinese national suspected of using false documents and violating maritime law, the agency confirmed to public broadcaster SVT on Monday.

According to Mattias Lindholm, press spokesperson for the Coast Guard, the increased boarding activity reflects a deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but also predating it.

“The security situation in the Baltic Sea has worsened. We’ve seen this since Russia’s invasion, but also before,” Lindholm told SVT’s Morgonstudion program. He added that the latest boarding near Trelleborg proceeded calmly, with a cooperative crew.

The vessel in question is under sanctions by Ukraine, the EU, and the UK. Investigations revealed discrepancies with its flag registration, raising doubts about its country of registration and compliance with international maritime standards.

“We suspect there is no state vouching for its seaworthiness. If a vessel fails to meet these international requirements, it commits an offense in Swedish territory,” Lindholm said.

More vessels violating maritime conventions

The surge in boardings stems from an increase in ships breaching the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which grants broad navigational freedoms but also imposes obligations, Lindholm explained. New legislation has also strengthened the Coast Guard’s intelligence capabilities, providing better oversight of vessels in the region.

“We now have a higher level of knowledge and far more information available, which aids our operational work,” he said.

Three of the five vessels boarded since March remain detained near Trelleborg under usage prohibitions. A similar decision may apply to the latest vessel, though no final ruling has been made.