The oil tanker Sea Owl I, which was under European Union sanctions, was released by Swedish authorities after nearly seven months of being stopped in Swedish waters. This decision was made following thorough investigations regarding the registration and seaworthiness of the tanker.
Details of the tanker’s release
The Swedish Transport Agency has lifted the ban on the tanker’s operations and announced that this ship, built in 2007 and with a capacity of 75,000 tons, is now legally registered in Equatorial Guinea. The oil tanker Sea Owl I had been stopped near Trelleborg since March 12, when Swedish authorities approached the vessel due to concerns about its flag and documentation.
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Previously, this tanker claimed registration in Comoros, which was deemed invalid by Swedish authorities. Additionally, another attempt to register under the flag of Cameroon was also not confirmed. The Swedish Transport Agency decided to release the tanker after receiving direct confirmation from Equatorial Guinea and reviewing the crew's documents and records.
Consequences of sanctions
Despite the release of this tanker, it remains under European Union sanctions. The Swedish Coast Guard has emphasized that this ship is not suspected of violating sanctions. Investigations regarding two former commanders of the tanker and allegations related to forged documents have also been halted.
The oil tanker Sea Owl I had departed from the port of Santos in Brazil before its seizure and was en route to the port of Primorsk in Russia. This tanker had previously been engaged in the trade of petroleum products between Russia and Brazil, and now with its release, it is expected to resume its commercial activities.
The release of this tanker occurs while Sweden continues its fight against ships operating without valid oversight from flag countries. Furthermore, another tanker named Jin Hui remains banned from operating near Trelleborg, and the cargo ship Caffa has been seized due to allegations related to the transfer of grain from Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine.
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