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Sweden releases sanctioned tanker due to lack of evidence it caused oil spill
Investigators said they found no sufficient evidence that the tanker caused the 12-kilometer spill.
- The Swedish Coast Guard released The Flora after finding insufficient evidence linking the vessel to a 12-kilometer oil spill discovered in the Baltic Sea last Thursday.
- Previously sanctioned by the European Union for carrying Russian oil while engaging in irregular shipping practices, the vessel was owned by a Hong Kong company as of late 2025.
- Part of the 'shadow fleet' described by the Group of Seven, The Flora changed its name six times and flag country nine times, operating under a Cameroon flag with a 24-member crew.
- Investigators say that disabling the automatic tracking system disguises cargo origins, a practice that poses significant environmental risks regarding potential cleanup costs.
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34 Articles
The threat of oil pollution in the Baltic Sea is a very real risk, given the heavy tanker traffic in the region.
Allegedly, suspicions regarding the tanker were not confirmed, and there were no grounds for detaining it. On April 5, Sweden released a tanker belonging to the Russian "shadow fleet," detained on April 3 on suspicion of causing an oil spill in the Baltic Sea. Allegedly, no evidence could be found, RBC-Ukraine reported, citing the Independent. Read also: Britain to begin intercepting tankers from Russia's shadow fleet. It is noted that allegedly…
Swedish Release of EU Sanctioned Tanker: A Controversial Voyage
Swedish authorities have released the detained Flora 1 tanker, suspected of oil spills in the Baltic Sea. Insufficient evidence absolved it of blame. Sailing under Cameroon's flag, the tanker was sanctioned for shipping Russian oil and practicing unchecked maritime behaviors. Ownership discrepancies and sanctions raise numerous safety and environmental concerns.
Sweden Releases Sanctioned Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker as Oil Spill Charges Dropped
Swedish authorities allowed the tanker Flora 1 to depart after failing to prove environmental violations, though officials criticized the vessel’s “lack of clarity” regarding its flag state.
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