Swedish authorities have arrested the Chinese captain of the oil tanker Jin Hui, who is suspected of belonging to Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet”, on suspicion of using forged documents and operating an unseaworthy vessel.
The arrest followed the vessel’s detention by the Swedish Coast Guard in the Baltic Sea. Senior prosecutor Adrien Combier‑Hogg said the captain, whose name has not been disclosed, is scheduled to be questioned on Monday.
According to Reuters, Sweden’s authorities said the tanker is believed to be part of the shadow fleet - a network of vessels used by Russia to evade Western sanctions imposed over its war against Ukraine.
This comes amid last week’s reports of Swedish authorities also seizing the vessel Caffa, which is suspected of transporting Ukrainian grain illegally exported from Russia‑occupied Crimea for Russian profit.
According to Civil Defense Minister Karl‑Oscar Bolin, the Jin Hui was on several sanctions lists, including those of the European Union, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The vessel’s destination was unclear, and it was not believed to have been carrying cargo at the time of its detention.
The Coast Guard said the tanker was also suspected of using a false flag and violating international maritime safety standards.
Russia has not commented on the detention of the Jin Hui, but Moscow has previously condemned the interception of tankers linked to its oil exports, describing such actions as “hostile.”
Analysts estimate that shadow fleet vessels now account for roughly 20% of the world’s tanker fleet, enabling Moscow to continue transporting oil despite sanctions.
Investigations into the vessel and its ownership structure are ongoing.