Update 12 May 2026, 17.00

Caffa at quay in Trelleborg

Caffa is now moored at one of the quays in the port of Trelleborg. The vessel has been seized by the Swedish Police Authority while a request for legal assistance from another country is in progress. The Coast Guard is no longer carrying out an investigation or anything similar in connection with the vessel. However, we can assist the Swedish Prosecution Authority or the Swedish Police Authority if they request it.

Update 9 March 2026, 15.30

Coast Guard remains at Caffa

Caffa remains in its position off Trelleborg. The Coast Guard is still available to act on the prosecutor's instructions in the ongoing preliminary investigation.

The Coast Guard is no longer detaining the vessel. Caffa is subject to a so-called international prohibition on use, decided by the Swedish Transport Agency. A prohibition on use means that the vessel must not be used or leave port or anchorage until the deficiencies found have been remedied and the Swedish Transport Agency has verified that the vessel meets the applicable safety requirements.

The preliminary investigation is led by a prosecutor. The Coast Guard takes investigative measures in line with the instructions given by the prosecutor. The prosecutor decides which measures may be taken and, if so, when. The master of Caffa has been in custody since Saturday evening. The person is a Russian citizen and is in custody for use of a false document, aggravated offence.

Clarification about Caffa's cargo

The Coast Guard has stated that Caffa was loaded with grain at the time of the intervention. The correct information is that the vessel had previously carried a cargo of grain, but was now travelling unladen.
---

Update 8 March 2026, 12.30

Crew member in custody – suspected aggravated offence

The investigation into the vessel Caffa is continuing. Findings that have been made have led to a member of the crew being taken into custody and brought ashore, suspected of an aggravated offence. A prosecutor has taken over the preliminary investigation.

On Saturday morning, a crew member on board the vessel Caffa was taken into custody. The person is suspected of offences against the Maritime Code (sjölagen) and the Vessel Safety Act (fartygssäkerhetslagen), and of use of a false document, which is an aggravated offence.

The vessel Caffa has been of interest to the Coast Guard for some time. On board Caffa, the Coast Guard has been able to establish conditions that confirm the initial information that led to the operation on Friday afternoon.

− It is serious when vessels that sail in Swedish waters, and in our territorial sea, have deficiencies that pose a threat to maritime safety and maritime traffic, our fairways and ports, and not least the environment, says Daniel Stenling, Deputy Head of Operations at the Coast Guard.

− Findings we have made on board strengthen our suspicions and our view that there are extensive deficiencies on the vessel in connection with its operation and activities. We have a mandate to uphold the rules at sea. We will take action against vessels that break them and that disturb safety in our territorial sea, says Daniel Stenling.

As the investigation has grown, a prosecutor has taken over the preliminary investigation. The Coast Guard continues to investigate in line with the prosecutor's instructions.

The Coast Guard is working with the Swedish Transport Agency, which is carrying out a so-called port State control on Sunday. If an inspection shows that the deficiencies are so serious that the vessel cannot be considered safe to use, the Swedish Transport Agency may decide on a prohibition on use. A prohibition on use means that the vessel must not continue its voyage or be used until the identified deficiencies have been remedied and the agency has verified that the vessel meets the applicable safety requirements.

Caffa is at anchor in Swedish waters off Trelleborg. The authorities' work continues on Sunday.
---

Update 6 March 2026, 18.30

Suspected stateless vessel boarded – investigative measures under way

At 15:50 today, the Coast Guard took control of a vessel with unclear flag status, and therefore suspected to be stateless. The operation, which took place with support from the Swedish Police Authority, was carried out in the Baltic Sea in Sweden's territorial sea, off Trelleborg. The Coast Guard has started a preliminary investigation into a suspected offence against the Maritime Code (sjölagen) concerning lack of seaworthiness.

Based on national and international law, the Coast Guard regards the vessel Caffa, flying the flag of Guinea, as stateless. The Coast Guard therefore assesses that Caffa was not engaged in innocent passage in Swedish territorial sea. Without a flag State, there is no State that vouches for the vessel's safety and seaworthiness.

Since around 16.00, after the Police and the Coast Guard took control of the vessel, investigative measures have been under way on board Caffa. The Coast Guard has personnel on board to obtain information about the conditions of the vessel and the crew, carry out a search of premises and hold interviews. At this stage, the preliminary investigation concerns lack of seaworthiness.

The operation was planned and has been carried out calmly. Caffa was boarded in Swedish territorial waters by the National Task Force and the Coast Guard's national boarding team, together with a police helicopter.

The operation is currently being carried out at sea. The Coast Guard is processing the information on board Caffa, which takes time. More authorities may become involved, depending on how events develop.