CAFFA Cargo Ship

History

CAFFA is a general cargo ship that became the subject of an international criminal and maritime investigation after Ukrainian authorities linked it to the removal of grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. In 2026, Swedish authorities detained the vessel in the Baltic Sea and Swedish courts approved its seizure and transfer to Ukraine.

The supplied sources do not establish CAFFA's original construction, launch, or production year. Public reporting does identify June 2025 as the period when the vessel changed its name, flag, and owner before operating under the CAFFA identity used during the events described here.

The case became significant because Ukrainian prosecutors sought the vessel through international legal-assistance procedures rather than seizing it within Ukrainian jurisdiction. Swedish courts subsequently concluded that the vessel and evidence found aboard could be surrendered to Ukraine for its investigation.

Operations in occupied Crimea

According to Ukrainian Shipping Magazine, the vessel changed its name, flag, and owner in June 2025. CAFFA was registered to Caffa Shipping LTD in the Seychelles and obtained the right to fly the Guinean flag on 9 June 2025. The same report stated that the Equasis database identified the Guinean registration as false.

During July 2025, CAFFA entered Russian-occupied Sevastopol. Ukrainian investigators reported that the vessel loaded about 3,000 tonnes of barley at the Avlita grain terminal on 16-18 July. The exporter was identified in the report as the Russian company Khlebkom. Ukrainian authorities later accused CAFFA of transporting grain taken from occupied Ukrainian territory and placed the vessel under sanctions.

Detention in Sweden

On 6 March 2026, Swedish authorities intercepted CAFFA near Trelleborg while it was travelling from Casablanca toward Saint Petersburg. Swedish police and the coast guard suspected that the ship was operating under a false flag and that it violated maritime and ship-safety regulations. Reuters reported that the allegations also included deficiencies affecting the vessel's seaworthiness.

Ukrainian prosecutors subsequently requested Swedish legal assistance. Reporting summarized by Vesseltracker states that Ukraine submitted a request on 12 March seeking a search of the ship, questioning of the captain and crew, and seizure of CAFFA as evidence in an investigation concerning the removal of property from occupied territory.

On 29 April 2026, Swedish prosecutors moved to seize the vessel. Most of CAFFA's 11 crew members were Russian, according to Swedish police, and the crew was later allowed to leave Sweden while the ship remained detained.

Court proceedings and transfer decision

On 4 June 2026, the Ystad District Court ruled that the seizure was lawful and that CAFFA could be handed over to Ukraine. The court found that the alleged conduct under investigation could constitute a war crime under Swedish law. The ruling covered the vessel and related evidence that could be relevant to the Ukrainian investigation.

The seizure was challenged by a lawyer representing Caffa Shipping Limited. On 3 July, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision while Swedish authorities continued preparations for a possible transfer.

In August 2026, Sweden's Supreme Court cleared the final legal obstacle to the transfer. According to Splash247, the Supreme Court refused the owner permission to appeal, leaving the earlier decisions in force. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha subsequently announced that the confiscated vessel would be transferred to Ukraine.

Design

CAFFA is a general cargo ship approximately 96 m long and 13 m wide. Published shipping data identify the vessel by IMO number 9143611 and MMSI 632001135. Splash247 reported a deadweight capacity of 4,337 tonnes.

The available sources do not provide verified information about the ship's propulsion machinery, maximum speed, fuel capacity, construction materials, cargo-handling equipment, or original shipbuilder. The vessel's documented role during the period covered by the sources was the transport of dry commercial cargo, including grain.

Operational history

CAFFA's documented operational history in the supplied material is closely connected to the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian investigators alleged that the vessel repeatedly entered occupied Crimean ports and participated in the movement of agricultural products from territory controlled by Russia.

The vessel's July 2025 call at Sevastopol and reported loading of approximately 3,000 tonnes of barley became central to the Ukrainian investigation. By 2026, the ship was being described by Ukrainian officials as part of Russia's shadow shipping network used to circumvent restrictions and conceal commercial activity linked to occupied territories.

After its detention on 6 March 2026, CAFFA remained under Swedish control near Trelleborg during the legal proceedings. Vessel-tracking information continued to list the ship in the Baltic Sea while arrangements for its transfer to Ukraine were being prepared.

Specifications (CAFFA)

General characteristics

• Type: General cargo ship
• Length: approximately 96 m
• Beam: approximately 13 m
• Deadweight: 4,337 tonnes
• IMO number: 9143611
• MMSI: 632001135

Registration during 2025-2026

• Registered owner: Caffa Shipping LTD, Seychelles, as reported in July 2025
• Claimed flag: Guinea
• Flag status: Swedish authorities suspected that the vessel was operating under a false registration