The Swedish Government has decided on a new regulation that would tighten the control of foreign vessels by requesting insurance information.
The regulation, which will enter into force on July 1, 2025, aims to counteract the movements of the so-called "shadow fleet" and thereby improve maritime safety and protection of the environment.
This means that the Swedish Coast Guard and the Swedish Maritime Administration will also be tasked with collecting insurance information from ships that pass through Swedish territorial waters or economic zones, not just those ships that call at a port.
"This underlines Sweden's clear presence in the Baltic Sea, which in itself has a deterrent effect," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. "It also provides Sweden and our allies with important information about ships that can be used as a basis for sanction lists of more ships in the shadow fleet.
"We are seeing more and more problematic events in the Baltic Sea, and this requires us not only to hope for the best, but also to plan for the worst."
"We are now increasing surveillance in the Baltic Sea," added Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer. "The shadow fleet circumvents international rules and threatens security. That more ships are inspected is absolutely crucial."