Fake flag and empty holds: The lightning and suspicious passage of the Russian cargo ship in Casablanca

The interception took place last Friday off Trelleborg, in southern Sweden. This 4,300-ton cargo ship, sailing under a fake Guinean flag, had left the port of Casablanca at the end of February with the theoretical destination of St. Petersburg. The Swedish police had to carry out an armed operation on board to interrupt its progress.

Although the vessel was found to be empty during the inspection, the Swedish authorities suspect the recent transport of stolen Ukrainian cereals. The ship’s captain, a Russian national, was arrested and disembarked. He is being prosecuted for maritime code violations and use of forged documents, as the cargo ship is already on the sanctions list related to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Swedish Transport Agency has immediately imposed an international sailing ban on the "Caffa" due to "serious safety deficiencies". Daniel Stenling, head of coast guard operations, stated: "Our mission is to enforce regulations at sea. We will take action against ships that endanger safety in our maritime area".

This ship is identified as a component of Moscow’s "ghost fleet", consisting of dilapidated vessels with opaque owners. These often uninsured ships are used to circumvent Western restrictions despite the major risks they pose to international maritime safety and the environment.