Suspected stateless cargo vessel seized in the Baltic Sea – investigation is ongoing

The Swedish Coast Guard’s overall assessment, supported by national and international legislation, is that the vessel m/v Caffa, under false Guinean flag, is stateless. Hence, the principle of innocent passage does not apply. The vessel is suspected to lack seaworthiness due to the fact that there is no flag state that can account for sea safety.

Together with Swedish Police, coast guard officers has taken control of the vessel, with the objective to conduct the investigation, that is collecting information about the crew, the ship and the conditions onboard.

The Swedish authorities boarding was well prepared and has been carried out according to plan. The operation is ongoing at sea.