Image Credits: Swedish Coast Guard
Sweden’s Supreme Court has upheld the seizure and transfer of the cargo vessel Caffa to Ukraine after the ship was linked to the alleged transportation of grain taken from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
The decision allows Ukraine to take control of the vessel and marks the first time a foreign court has approved the transfer of a ship connected to allegations of stolen Ukrainian grain, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Caffa, a 96-metre general cargo vessel with a deadweight capacity of 4,337 tonnes, was detained by Swedish authorities in March 2026 near Trelleborg in the Baltic Sea.
The vessel was sailing from Casablanca to St. Petersburg and was operating under a claimed Guinean flag, but Swedish authorities later considered it effectively stateless.
Swedish officials said the vessel had issues with its registration documents, including concerns that it was operating under a false flag. Authorities also found violations related to safety standards and seaworthiness during their inspection.
At the time of its detention, the Caffa was already listed on Ukraine’s sanctions list.
Ukraine had requested Sweden’s assistance in seizing the vessel as part of an investigation into the alleged illegal export of grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
Ukrainian sanctions chief Vladyslav Vlasiuk said the vessel had previously been involved in transporting grain taken from occupied areas, including cargo loaded from Sevastopol in Crimea.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the ship entered Sevastopol and loaded around 3,000 tonnes of barley, which was later transported to Syria.
Kyiv has accused Russia of moving agricultural products from occupied Ukrainian regions through networks linked to occupation authorities.
Swedish prosecutors investigated the case before allowing courts to decide the vessel’s future. A lower Swedish court had earlier ruled that the seizure was legal and that the vessel could be transferred to Ukraine.
The decision was appealed, but the Supreme Court upheld the ruling on Aug. 5, making it final.
Ukraine’s Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the decision, calling it an important precedent for international efforts to hold those involved in transporting goods from occupied Ukrainian territories accountable.
“I welcome the decision by the Supreme Court of Sweden to uphold the seizure and transfer to Ukraine of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Caffa,” Sybiha wrote on X.
Ukraine and its international partners have increased efforts to identify and take action against vessels suspected of helping bypass sanctions or moving goods from occupied territories.
The European Union has also expanded measures targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. Its latest sanctions package includes provisions allowing member states to sell crude oil, grain and other commodities seized from such vessels.
Several European countries have carried out inspections and boardings of suspected shadow fleet vessels in recent months.
The Caffa remains in Sweden following its detention, although the crew, mostly Russian nationals, has already been allowed to leave the country.
Ukraine is expected to begin further legal proceedings after the transfer, which could lead to formal confiscation and a possible sale of the vessel.
References: Kyiv Independent, Defence Express
