Swedish authorities board five shadow fleet vessels since March

Swedish authorities have boarded five suspected vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet since March, according to an investigation by public broadcaster SVT, as the covert oil trade near Sweden’s coast continues despite sanctions and escalating enforcement.

Data from the independent Finnish research group Crea shows 262 sanctioned shadow fleet tankers have transported Russian oil through the Baltic Sea so far this year. The vessels, often flying flags of convenience from Sierra Leone or Cameroon, are primarily delivering oil to India, where it is refined into products like diesel and jet fuel before being re-exported—a practice known as “oil laundering.”

Sweden’s crackdown involves the Coast Guard, Armed Forces, and Security Police, with the air force on standby to intervene if tensions rise. Operations are described as high-risk, with Vice Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, the Armed Forces’ operations chief, stating, “We are prepared if something escalates.”

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, oil and petroleum products worth over 3 trillion Swedish kronor have passed within miles of Sweden’s coastline—more than half of Russia’s military spending during the same period, according to figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

“Oil exports are incredibly important for Russia’s survival,” Skoog Haslum said.

Swedish officials frame their actions as maintaining order in the Baltic Sea. “Our task is to uphold the law at sea and intervene when crimes occur. That’s why we act,” said Daniel Stenling, deputy operations chief at the Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, the Swedish Armed Forces warn of increased Russian military presence in the region, with warships ready to support the shadow fleet. “The security situation in the Baltic Sea has changed completely. But it is Russia itself that has raised the temperature,” Skoog Haslum said.

Asked about the risk of military confrontation, she added: “The risk always exists. But it would be incredibly reckless of Russia to take such action.”

The 262 shadow fleet vessels identified this year have an average age of over 19 years, with the oldest exceeding 33 years. Many legitimate operators avoid chartering tankers older than 15–20 years due to safety and environmental concerns.