STOCKHOLM — Sweden mentioned Saturday it would step up insurance coverage checks on international ships in a transfer geared toward tightening controls on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet ” of ageing ships.
The federal government in Stockholm mentioned that, beginning July 1, the coast guard and the Swedish Maritime Administration can be tasked with accumulating insurance coverage data not simply from ships that decision at Swedish ports, but in addition people who cross via the nation’s territorial waters and unique financial zone.
“This underlines Sweden’s clear presence within the Baltic Sea, which in itself has a deterrent impact,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson mentioned in a press release. “It additionally gives Sweden and our allies with essential details about vessels that can be utilized as a foundation for sanctions listings of extra vessels within the shadow fleet.”
Russia makes use of its shadow fleet to move oil and fuel, or to hold stolen Ukrainian grain. The European Union has now focused virtually 350 of the ships in complete in sanctions packages, most just lately on May 20.
Kristersson mentioned that “we’re seeing an increasing number of problematic occasions within the Baltic Sea and this requires us not solely to hope for one of the best, but in addition to plan for the worst.”
The common age of the vessels is round 18 years, that means they’re close to the top of their lifespan and are extra susceptible to accidents, particularly in the event that they’re not well-maintained.