Sea-Owl-I

Regarding the 'Sea Owl 1', which remained anchored off Trelleborg, there were signs that the crew was working to address the deficiencies to be able to sail further. Sweden, together with other European countries, has increased pressure on the Russian shadow fleet in Europe. Several ships have been boarded, also by France and Belgium. The captain of the 'Caffa' has meanwhile been released, as the suspicions against him have been dropped. The man was detained on probable cause on suspicion of using a false document, a felony. The prosecutor believed that the documents used were false, including the documents certifying that the ship was flagged in Guinea. This has emerged, among other things, in contact with other countries and organisations abroad. The captain stated that he did not know that the documents were false. After extensive investigative measures, senior prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg assessed that the objection could not be refuted. He has therefore lifted the detention and dropped the suspicion against the Russian national. The ship remained anchored outside Trelleborg. The Transport Agency has previously issued a sailing ban on the ship, because several other problems were discovered, in addition to the fact that the ship was suspected of being stateless. The ship had deficiencies in seaworthiness, ballast water management, bilge water control system and safety organisation. The fact that the suspicions against the master has been dropped, did not affect the issued ban on further sailing.

The Russian captain of the 'Sea Owl I' has been remanded until April 10. The man, who was suspected of using a false document, a felony, opposed continued detention, but the Malmö District Court agreed with the prosecutor. The tanker was boarded by police and the Coastguard outside Trelleborg on March 12. The was is on the EU's sanctions list. In recent years, it, has transported oil products between Russia and Brazil. Six days earlier, the bulk carrier 'Caffa' was boarded, and this ship's Russian captain is also in custody, suspected of the same crime. Both ships remained anchored close to each other off Trelleborg as of March 27. Report with photo: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/9ppo75/rysk-befalhavare-fran-bordat-fartyg-omhaktas

After the 'Sea Owl I' was boarded by the Coast Guard and the Police Authority on the evening of March 12, it dropped anchor south of Trelleborg. The Coast Guard is working intensively on the ongoing criminal investigations, which were led by the prosecutors in Malmö. The Coast Guard has intervened against suspected violations of the Maritime Code against the vessel, which was flying a suspected false flag and lacked of seaworthiness. The 'Sea Owl I' is also on the EU sanctions list. The lack of seaworthiness and use of a false document were regarded as a serious crime. The Coast Guard carried out the investigative measures that the prosecutor announced. Because a large part of the information concerning the suspected crimes was subject to preliminary investigation secrecy, the authorities were limited in their information. The prosecutor would return when the investigations are at such a stage that more could be said. The tanker remained stationary in pos. 55° 17' N 013° 03' E as of March 17, close to the seized cargo m/v 'Caffa', with the Swedish patrol vessel 'KBV 003' (IMO: 9380465) nearby. The 24 crew members, consisting of ten Russians and 14 Indonesians, were doing well and working to address the deficiencies that the Swedish authorities discovered during the inspection. Sweden’s prosecution authority was investigating the captain, a Russian citizen, who was detained, facing suspicions of using false documents, committing serious crimes, and violating Sweden’s maritime act. The authorities continued their searches on board, conducting interrogations, and investigating the suspected false documentation. No one has been detained so far.

On March 12, 2026, around 8:30 p.m., the Swedish Coast Guard boarded the 'Seo Owl I', ballasting from Santos to the Russian port Primorsk, off Trelleborg. A preliminary investigation into suspected violations regarding lack of seaworthiness has been initiated. The operation was carried out with the support of the Swedish Police. The tanker was flying the Comorian flag. The Swedish Coast Guard suspected that it was not included in their ship register, that it was sailing under a false flag and that there was therefore no flag state that could vouch for the safety on board. There were sanctions in force from several countries, including the EU. The overall assessment was that the risk of safety deficiencies on board was high. On this basis, the vessel could not be allowed innocent passage. The threats to maritime safety and the environment were too high. Therefore, there was a basis for an intervention against the ship by the Swedish Coast Guard, which boarded the tanker in Swedish territorial waters along with the Swedish Police. The Coast Guard transferred personnel on board to conduct a search and hold interviews. At this stage, the preliminary investigation concerned the lack of seaworthiness. More Swedish authorities may become involved, depending on the development of events. In recent years, the ship has transported oil products between Russia and Brazil. On March 13, the tanker was anchored in pos. 55° 17' N 013° 03' E. On March 6, the Swedish Coast Guard, with the help of Swedish Police, took control of the cargo m/v 'Caffa' near Trelleborg. The ship was later placed under prohibition of vessel operation by the Swedish Transport Agency. The captain of the ship was suspected of several violations including the use of a false document. Report with photo: https://www.kustbevakningen.se/en/more-news/another-intervention-against-a-false-flagged-vessel/

to undisclosed buyers, for a price in the region of $13.5m.