The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde. The patient being treated in Johannesburg tested positive for a hantavirus, a family of viruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever, South African spokesperson Foster Mohale said. (Photo by AFP)
Swedish authorities have arrested the captain of a cargo vessel suspected of being linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” according to the country’s prosecution authority.
The arrested captain, a Chinese national, was in charge of the ship Jin Hui, which was boarded by Sweden’s coast guard on Sunday.
The vessel is suspected of sailing under a false Syrian flag and is believed to be part of a network of ships allegedly used by Russia to bypass Western sanctions. These “shadow fleet” vessels are often older ships with unclear ownership structures and limited insurance coverage, raising concerns among European maritime authorities.
Sweden said the ship has been listed under sanctions by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
According to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the captain is being held on suspicion of using forged documents and violating maritime safety regulations related to seaworthiness.
“An interrogation of the detainee will be held during the day, and contact has been initiated with other authorities and countries,” said prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg.
The incident is the latest in a series of maritime inspections by Sweden targeting vessels suspected of sanctions evasion activity in the Baltic Sea region, amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Authorities say investigations are continuing, and further details will be released as diplomatic and legal processes progress.