The swedish coastguard logotype

Another intervention against a false flagged vessel

Sea OWL I

Swedish Police and Swedish Coast Guard boarding the vessel Sea Owl I

Around 8:30 pm on Thursday evening, the Swedish Coast Guard boarded a 228-metre tanker off Trelleborg in the Baltic Sea. A preliminary investigation into suspected violations regarding lack of seaworthiness has been initiated. The operation is carried out with the support of Swedish Police.

The tanker Sea Owl I flies the Comorian flag. The Swedish Coast Guard suspects that it is not included in their ship register, that it is sailing under a false flag and that there is therefore no flag state that can vouch for the safety on board. The vessel is on the EU sanctions list.

− Our overall assessment is that the risk of safety deficiencies on board is high. On this basis, the vessel cannot be allowed innocent passage. The threats to maritime safety and the environment are too high. Therefore, there is a basis for an intervention against the ship, says Daniel Stenling, Deputy Chief of Operations at the Swedish Coast Guard

Collaboration with Swedish Police

Sea Owl I was boarded in Swedish territorial waters by the Swedish Police and Swedish Coast Guard. The operation was planned.

Preliminary investigation led by prosecutors

Right now, the work is underway at sea. The Swedish Coast Guard has personnel on board to conduct a search and hold interviews. At this stage, the preliminary investigation concerns lack of seaworthiness. More swedish authorities may become involved, depending on the development of events.

Second ship boarded in a short time

On March 6, the Swedish Coast Guard, with the help of Swedish Police, took control of the ship Caffa near Trelleborg. The ship was later placed under a so-called prohibition of vessel operationby the Swedish Transport Agency. The captain of the Caffa is suspected of several violations including the use of a false document.

− Sweden protects the law of the sea and the rules-based order that we have jointly agreed on. The Coast Guard's responsibility is to ensure that the regulations at sea are followed. We will intervene against vessels that violate them and that disrupt the safety of our territorial waters, says Daniel Stenling.

Fact sheet Sea Owl I

  • Sea Owl I is a 228-meter-long tanker built in 2007.
  • In recent years, the ship has transported oil products between Russia and Brazil.
  • The tanker comes from Santos, Brazil with destination Primorsk.
  • Sea Owl I is reportedly sailing without cargo.
  • There are sanctions in force from several countries, including the EU.

Changed 12 March 2026 22:09