Sweden’s government has unveiled tougher checks on insurers of foreign vessels to combat what is known as Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
The government on May 31 said in a statement that a new regulation will enter into force that “tightens the control over foreign vessels by requesting insurance information”.
The measure aims to apply more pressure on vessels trading with Russia and to introduce new monitoring efforts including checking insurance documentation for vessels sailing through its waters.
Starting 1 July, the Swedish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration will be tasked with collecting insurance information not only from ships transiting Swedish territorial waters or the exclusive economic zone, but also on those that call at a Swedish port.
Sweden has been a driving force in taking action against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of aging ships.
According to the government, the new regulation that comes into force on July 1 aims to counteract the so-called “shadow fleet” and improve maritime safety and environmental protection.
“This underlines Sweden’s clear presence in the Baltic Sea, which in itself has a deterrent effect,” Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson noted in a statement.
Kristersson added, “It also provides Sweden and our allies with important information about vessels that can be used as a basis for sanction listings of more ships in the shadow fleet. We are seeing more and more problematic events in the Baltic Sea, and this requires us not only to hope for the best, but also to plan for the worst.”
Justice minister Gunnar Strömmer also pointed out, “We are now increasing surveillance in the Baltic Sea. The shadow fleet circumvents international rules and threatens security. It is absolutely crucial that more vessels are inspected.”
