- Sweden will step up insurance checks on foreign ships in a move aimed at tightening controls on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet ” of aging ships.
- The coast guard and the Swedish Maritime Administration will be tasked with collecting insurance information not just from ships that call at Swedish ports, but also those that pass through the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
In a decisive move to counteract Russia’s covert maritime operations, Sweden has announced enhanced insurance verification procedures for foreign vessels operating in its waters, reports AP News.
Effective July 1, 2025, these measures aim to disrupt Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a network of aging tankers circumventing international sanctions by transporting oil, gas, and allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain.
Expanded Oversight Measures
The Swedish government has mandated that both the Swedish Coast Guard and the Swedish Maritime Administration collect insurance information from all foreign ships, not only those docking at Swedish ports but also those transiting through Sweden’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that this initiative underscores Sweden’s strategic presence in the Baltic Sea and provides critical data to support further EU sanctions against these vessels. The European Union has already sanctioned nearly 350 such ships, with the latest additions on May 20, 2025.
Concerns Over Aging Fleet and Environmental Risks
The average age of these vessels is approximately 18 years, raising significant concerns about their safety and environmental impact. Many of these ships are poorly maintained and lack proper insurance coverage, increasing the risk of accidents and oil spills in the Baltic Sea—a region known for its delicate marine ecosystem and shallow waters. Experts warn that the absence of Western protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance could leave coastal nations, like Sweden, bearing the financial burden of potential environmental disasters.
International Cooperation and Sanctions Enforcement
Sweden’s initiative aligns with broader European efforts to combat the shadow fleet. In December 2024, twelve European countries, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, agreed to implement regular inspections of Russian vessels’ insurance certificates. These inspections are conducted in critical maritime chokepoints such as the English Channel, the Danish Straits, and the Gulf of Finland. Vessels failing to provide adequate insurance documentation face potential sanctions or boarding.
Sweden’s enhanced insurance checks represent a significant step in the collective effort to dismantle Russia’s shadow fleet and uphold international sanctions. By tightening oversight and ensuring accountability, Sweden aims to mitigate the environmental and geopolitical risks posed by these illicit maritime operations. As the situation develops, continued vigilance and international cooperation will be essential to safeguarding the Baltic Sea and maintaining the integrity of global maritime trade.
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Source: AP News
