Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 22, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleSwedish customs released the Russian freighter Adler after inspection, finding no sanctions violations. The ship is now moving north along Sweden's coast.
STOCKHOLM, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Swedish customs has released a Russian ship it boarded over the weekend in order to perform an inspection, with marine tracking data on Monday showing the vessel was on the move again.
The customs service said on Sunday that authorities had boarded the Adler, a Russian freighter, that anchored in Swedish waters near Hoganas in south-west Sweden on Friday after developing engine problems.
"The prosecutor has decided not to open an investigation into suspected violation of sanctions," a spokesperson for the customs service said. "The ship has therefore been allowed to go on its way."
In addition to the Adler being on a European Union sanctions list, the vessel and its owners M Leasing LLC are both subject to U.S. sanctions, suspected of involvement in weapons transport, according to OpenSanctions, a database of sanctioned companies and individuals, persons of interest and government watchlists.
The customs service declined to say what cargo the Adler, which left St Petersburg on December 15 for an unknown destination, had been carrying.
LSEG tracking data showed the ship travelling north up the west coast of Sweden.
(Reporting by Simon Johnson; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
A customs inspection is a process where authorities examine goods and shipping documents to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, including checking for contraband and verifying that duties and taxes are paid.
Sanctions are restrictions imposed by countries or international bodies on trade, financial transactions, or other activities with specific nations, organizations, or individuals to achieve foreign policy or national security objectives.
A freighter is a type of cargo ship designed to transport goods and materials across oceans and waterways. They are essential for international trade and can vary in size and capacity.
Maritime tracking data refers to information collected from vessels at sea, including their location, speed, and course, often used for navigation, safety, and monitoring shipping activities.
Engine problems in shipping can lead to delays, increased costs, and potential safety hazards. Vessels may need to be inspected or repaired, impacting their ability to transport goods efficiently.
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