Swedish authorities are investigating a cargo ship in the Baltic Sea accused of transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, officials announced Saturday. The Caffa, sailing under a Guinean flag, was boarded by Swedish Coast Guard officials in territorial waters Friday after being identified as part of Ukraine's sanctions list. The vessel's crew is predominantly Russian, according to Swedish news agency TT.

During the inspection, authorities expressed concerns about the ship's seaworthiness and launched a criminal investigation. The vessel was allegedly flying a false flag when Swedish authorities conducted the search and interviews. Details about the ship's cargo and crew remain limited as the investigation continues. The Caffa's movements and ownership structure are now under scrutiny.

This incident comes amid Sweden's broader crackdown on Russia's shadow fleet of aging vessels used to transport oil, gas, and allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain. Stockholm has increased insurance checks on foreign ships passing through its waters, requiring the Coast Guard and Maritime Administration to collect documentation from vessels both docking at ports and transiting territorial waters. The average age of these shadow fleet vessels is approximately 18 years, making them vulnerable to accidents if poorly maintained.