Starting July 1, Sweden will implement strict new regulations to monitor foreign vessels passing through the Baltic Sea, with a particular focus on curbing Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
As informed, the new Swedish rules require foreign ships to present valid insurance documentation and will apply not only to those docking at Swedish ports but also to any vessel traversing Sweden’s territorial waters or its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends up to 200 nautical miles offshore.
The decision comes amid rising concerns over maritime safety, environmental risks, and regional security. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized the growing number of suspicious maritime incidents, many linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, that threaten critical infrastructure such as undersea communication cables and energy pipelines.
The Swedish Coast Guard and Maritime Administration will be responsible for enforcing these new checks, aiming to prevent further incidents and improve accountability at sea.
Sweden’s actions align with a broader international effort, following the EU’s 17th sanctions package that recently targeted nearly 200 suspect vessels.
