Sweden Releases Seized Russian Oil Tanker Suspected Of Causing Baltic Sea Oil Spill

Sweden has released an oil tanker that was suspected of causing a 12-kilometre oil spill in the Baltic Sea after authorities completed initial checks and questioned the crew.

The vessel, named Flora 1, was stopped and boarded by the Swedish Coast Guard after an oil slick was detected east of Gotland island early Thursday. Investigators later identified the tanker as the possible source of the spill.

The Coast Guard took the vessel, along with its 24 crew members, to an anchorage near Ystad in southern Sweden. Officials said they acted after detecting the discharge as part of increased maritime surveillance in the Baltic region.

The tanker had left the Russian port of Primorsk earlier in the week, according to vessel tracking data, but its destination was not clear. Authorities also said the ship’s flag could not be confirmed.

Swedish prosecutors said the crew had been questioned and two individuals were informed they were suspected of environmental offences. However, no one was detained.

The prosecution authority added that the spill took place within Sweden’s economic zone, which limits the legal actions that can be taken. It said necessary interviews had been completed and no further measures, such as detention, would be taken at this stage.

An investigation into a suspected environmental crime has been opened and is still ongoing.

The vessel is listed under European Union sanctions linked to ships transporting Russian oil using risky or unclear practices. These can include switching off tracking systems to hide movements.

Authorities and Ukrainian sources have linked the tanker to the so-called “shadow fleet” used to move Russian oil outside Western restrictions.

This fleet grew after the G7 countries imposed a price cap on Russian oil exports by restricting insurance and shipping services above the set limit.

According to Ukrainian information, the tanker is owned by a Hong Kong-based company and has been associated with an Indian operator involved in such operations.

The vessel has also previously carried out ship-to-ship oil transfers near Greece and has been known to switch off its tracking system.

There were also claims that the tanker carried the flag of Sierra Leone while at times presenting Benin as its flag state.

Swedish authorities said the spill is not expected to reach the shore. Around 18 cubic metres, or about 113 barrels, of oil are believed to have leaked into the sea.

Sweden’s Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said vessels in the Russian shadow fleet are often older and poorly insured, which creates safety and environmental risks. He added that the government is taking the incident seriously, although this spill is not considered large.

The Coast Guard said it will continue monitoring the situation and is ready to take action if cleanup is required.

References: Reuters, ABCNews