NEWSLETTER
www.lethagencies.com
YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS Mar 2026Issue 006
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
Welcome to this month’s update from LETH! As the maritime industry navigates new challenges, we’re here to keep you informed on
the latest developments and updates.
Featured This Month:
Rechto Cup DenmarkSkaw passings UpdateBALTIC REGION SECURITY UPDATE
Skaw Passings Update : Feb 15 - Mar 15
Source: Lloyds AIS, Observed Data
Skaw passings Per Month Total Northbound Southbound
Crude
Tanker
Product
Tanker
Dry Bulk
Container /
General
Cargo
Other TankersGas Carrier
Monthly Average 2539 1233 1307 258 154 427 1179 372 149
Feb 15 - Mar 15 2582 1261 1321 256 144 404 1181 443 153
BALTIC REGION SECURITY UPDATE
Update from our analyst at Ambrey
Ambrey has not observed any further Ukrainian attacks against
Baltic Sea ports. The overall security environment in the region
therefore remains stable, although several developments indicate
a gradual tightening of enforcement and infrastructure protection
measures. Most notably, the European Union has allocated nearly
EUR 500 million to strengthen the protection of subsea
infrastructure across the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic region.
The funding will support the establishment of several monitoring
and coordination centers intended to create a more integrated
regional approach to subsea infrastructure security.
At the same time, several Baltic Sea states have publicly stated
that they are prepared to detain vessels transiting their waters if
they are operating stateless or without proper documentation. In
practice, however, enforcement actions have so far been limited.
One notable case occurred when Sweden detained a tanker
transiting Swedish waters.
The vessel was not listed under EU sanctions but appeared on the
Ukrainian sanctions list. Swedish authorities stated that the
detention was carried out because the vessel was considered
stateless while transiting Swedish waters. At the time of writing, the
vessel remains under Swedish jurisdiction and the captain is likely to
face legal proceedings in the Swedish court system.
There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that Russian
authorities have increasingly deployed military intelligence
personnel, including individuals linked to the GRU and former
Wagner Group operatives, on board some sanctioned tankers calling
at Russian Baltic Sea ports.
The presence of such personnel suggests that Russia is systematically
using these vessels as intelligence-gathering platforms. By observing
enforcement practices across different jurisdictions, Russia may be
attempting to identify gaps in regulatory frameworks, operational
procedures, and maritime enforcement capabilities as the vessels
transit through European waters. The likelihood of a stateless vessel
detention in Black Sea by the Turkish authorities is very low.
Overall, the situation in the Baltic Sea remains stable. YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS
MaltaPanama SpainGibraltarDenmarkEgyptSingaporeTurkey
LETH NEWSLETTER Mar 2026
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
Add your body text
We are pleased to share that our team will be attending
the Rechto Cup this year. The event brings together
professionals from across the shipping industry for a day
of networking, collaboration, and friendly competition. It
is always a great opportunity to connect with partners,
colleagues, and new faces from across the maritime
community.
Members of our team will be present throughout the
event and are very much looking forward to the
conversations and connections that make gatherings like
this so valuable for our industry. Events such as the
Rechto Cup provide a relaxed setting to strengthen
relationships and exchange ideas with others who share a
passion for shipping and logistics.
If you are also attending, we would be delighted to see
you there. Please feel free to stop by, say hello, and take
the opportunity to catch up with our team.
Rechto Cup in Aalborg
NEWSLETTER
www.lethagencies.com
YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS Mar 2026Issue 006
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
Welcome to this month’s update from LETH! As the maritime industry navigates new challenges, we’re here to keep you informed on
the latest developments and updates.
Featured This Month:
Rechto Cup DenmarkSkaw passings UpdateBALTIC REGION SECURITY UPDATE
Skaw Passings Update : Feb 15 - Mar 15
Source: Lloyds AIS, Observed Data
Skaw passings Per Month Total Northbound Southbound
Crude
Tanker
Product
Tanker
Dry Bulk
Container /
General
Cargo
Other TankersGas Carrier
Monthly Average 2539 1233 1307 258 154 427 1179 372 149
Feb 15 - Mar 15 2582 1261 1321 256 144 404 1181 443 153
BALTIC REGION SECURITY UPDATE
Update from our analyst at Ambrey
Ambrey has not observed any further Ukrainian attacks against
Baltic Sea ports. The overall security environment in the region
therefore remains stable, although several developments indicate
a gradual tightening of enforcement and infrastructure protection
measures. Most notably, the European Union has allocated nearly
EUR 500 million to strengthen the protection of subsea
infrastructure across the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic region.
The funding will support the establishment of several monitoring
and coordination centers intended to create a more integrated
regional approach to subsea infrastructure security.
At the same time, several Baltic Sea states have publicly stated
that they are prepared to detain vessels transiting their waters if
they are operating stateless or without proper documentation. In
practice, however, enforcement actions have so far been limited.
One notable case occurred when Sweden detained a tanker
transiting Swedish waters.
The vessel was not listed under EU sanctions but appeared on the
Ukrainian sanctions list. Swedish authorities stated that the
detention was carried out because the vessel was considered
stateless while transiting Swedish waters. At the time of writing, the
vessel remains under Swedish jurisdiction and the captain is likely to
face legal proceedings in the Swedish court system.
There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that Russian
authorities have increasingly deployed military intelligence
personnel, including individuals linked to the GRU and former
Wagner Group operatives, on board some sanctioned tankers calling
at Russian Baltic Sea ports.
The presence of such personnel suggests that Russia is systematically
using these vessels as intelligence-gathering platforms. By observing
enforcement practices across different jurisdictions, Russia may be
attempting to identify gaps in regulatory frameworks, operational
procedures, and maritime enforcement capabilities as the vessels
transit through European waters. The likelihood of a stateless vessel
detention in Black Sea by the Turkish authorities is very low.
Overall, the situation in the Baltic Sea remains stable. YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS
MaltaPanama SpainGibraltarDenmarkEgyptSingaporeTurkey
LETH NEWSLETTER Mar 2026
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
Add your body text
We are pleased to share that our team will be attending
the Rechto Cup this year. The event brings together
professionals from across the shipping industry for a day
of networking, collaboration, and friendly competition. It
is always a great opportunity to connect with partners,
colleagues, and new faces from across the maritime
community.
Members of our team will be present throughout the
event and are very much looking forward to the
conversations and connections that make gatherings like
this so valuable for our industry. Events such as the
Rechto Cup provide a relaxed setting to strengthen
relationships and exchange ideas with others who share a
passion for shipping and logistics.
If you are also attending, we would be delighted to see
you there. Please feel free to stop by, say hello, and take
the opportunity to catch up with our team.
Rechto Cup in Aalborg
