Sweden’s coast guard said Saturday a second crewmember had been arrested off a suspected false-flagged tanker, believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” boarded in March, suspected of forging documents.
On March 12, Sweden’s coast guard also boarded the 228-meter (748-foot) tanker Sea Owl I off the city of Trelleborg in southern Sweden.
The Sea Owl was flying a Comoran flag, which the coast guard believed was phony, and the captain was arrested, suspected of using a forged document.
“A new captain took over responsibility for the ship, and the ship’s documents for the new flag state were submitted to the Swedish Transport Agency. These documents are also suspected to be falsified,” the Swedish Coast Guard said in a statement.
“A second crewmember has been arrested and a new preliminary investigation has been opened,” it added.
The Sea Owl I, which the coast guard said was on the EU sanctions list, has also been investigated for suspected “seaworthiness” violations.
Moscow’s “shadow fleet” consists of vessels used to skirt Western sanctions. They are often aging ships in poor condition, without proper insurance, and with opaque ownership.
Sweden’s coast guard has also boarded several other suspect vessels in recent months.
