Authorities in Sweden have arrested the Chinese captain of a vessel suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to bypass Western sanctions.

The ship, identified as Jin Hui, was boarded by the Swedish coast guard over the weekend after it was suspected of sailing under a false Syrian flag.

According to prosecutors, the captain was detained on suspicion of using forged documents and violating maritime safety regulations related to the vessel’s seaworthiness.

The tanker is reportedly listed under sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.

Officials say Russia’s “shadow fleet” consists of ageing vessels with unclear ownership and inadequate insurance, raising concerns about safety and environmental risks.

Swedish authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with plans to question the captain and coordinate with international partners as part of the probe.