As reported on the official website of the agency, the Coast Guard, in conjunction with police, conducted an intervention on board the tanker and initiated an investigation. It was discovered that the vessel is not registered under the Comoros Islands, indicating the possibility of using a false flag.
The tanker Sea Owl I is included in the European Union's sanctions list. Swedish authorities noted that risk analysis indicates a high likelihood of security violations on board, and therefore the vessel is not permitted to continue its journey.
According to Swedish sources, in recent years the tanker has been transporting petroleum products between Russia and Brazil. At the time of detention, there was no cargo on board, and according to the AP agency, the vessel was heading from Brazil to Russia.
This is already the second case of a vessel being detained for similar reasons in a short period of time. Earlier, Swedish authorities arrested the vessel Caffa, also suspected of using a false flag. As reported by AP and Reuters, this vessel was under sanctions from Ukraine and primarily had a Russian crew on board.
