A vessel servicing Russia's shadow fleet with fuel just outside Sweden's border has raised concerns among authorities despite approval from the Swedish Transport Agency.

The Latvian company Fastbunkering and its oil tanker M/S Zircone have been operating near Swedish waters, especially outside Gotland, increasingly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, selling fuel primarily to Russian shadow fleet ships.

This operation involves millions of liters of fuel and is legally permitted but has sparked worry among Swedish officials.

The Swedish Coast Guard's increased surveillance activities, including patrolling flights, underscore the growing tension and environmental risks associated with the shadow fleet's presence in the Baltic Sea.

Despite the legality of these transactions, the involvement of ships potentially lacking in safety standards heightens the risk of accidents and environmental disasters.