Sweden court orders seized "shadow fleet" vessel transferred to Ukraine

Sweden’s Supreme Court has upheld a decision to confiscate the cargo vessel Caffa, linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” and transfer it to Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

“I welcome the decision by the Supreme Court of Sweden to uphold the seizure and transfer to Ukraine of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Caffa. This landmark decision sets an important precedent, demonstrating that decisive action by law enforcement and prosecutors, combined with an independent and impartial judiciary, can translate the principle of accountability into tangible results. We continue working to counter Russia’s shadow fleet and its ability to earn money for its war,” Sybiha wrote on X.

The ruling marks a significant legal step in efforts to curb the activities of vessels associated with Russia’s shadow fleet, often used to bypass sanctions.

The Caffa, a dry cargo ship sailing under the flag of Guinea, was detained by the Swedish Coast Guard on March 7 while en route to St. Petersburg.

The operation, codenamed “Black Coffee,” took place in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Trelleborg. Authorities deployed helicopters, one of which landed on the vessel before officers boarded it.

By Tamilla Hasanova