Sweden to Transfer Confiscated CAFFA Vessel to Ukraine, Ship Used to Export Stolen Ukrainian Grain

The Supreme Court of Sweden has ruled to transfer the confiscated vessel CAFFA to Ukraine. The ship was part of Russia’s shadow fleet.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the decision on his X account.

Swedish authorities confiscated the bulk carrier in April following an investigation into sanctions violations.

The vessel also drew the attention of law enforcement because it was sailing under a fraudulent Guinean flag.

On March 6, border authorities detained the CAFFA in the Baltic Sea near Trelleborg while it was en route from Casablanca to St. Petersburg.

The confiscation proceedings were initiated following a legal assistance request from an unnamed country investigating the illegal export of Ukrainian grain.

In July 2025, the bulk carrier loaded stolen Ukrainian grain in the Russian-occupied port of Sevastopol, which led Ukraine to place the vessel on its sanctions list.