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Former Finnmerchant named as one of previously unidentified ships in the area of the Estonia sinking
The 'Finnmerchant', now sailing as 'Jabal Ali 9', was identified by the Swedish Accident Investigation Board as one of the ships, besides the ferry 'Finnjet' (IMO: 7359632), that were included in the International Investigation Commission's report from 1997 on the position of various ships in the area in connection with the sinking of the ferry 'Estonia' (IMO: 7921033) on Dec 8, 1994, and were stated to be unknown. The two merchant ships had also participated in the rescue operation. It appeared to be an administrative error by the old commission, says Jonas Bäckstrand at a press conference onm Aug 20, 2025, in which the Board presented the results of three investigations into the sinking of the 'Estonia'. The investigations have been carried out in parallel with the work of completing the final report, which is expected in December. One of the investigations concerned a classified document from the Swedish Maritime Administration with alternative explanations for the sinking of the 'Estonia', including mention of an explosion or collision. According to Jörgen Zachau, this has probably been important for the many conspiracy theories that have flourished regarding the sinking. Now the authority has concluded that it is a forgery. The document, which was submitted to the authority in its entirety by a journalist this spring, has not, for example, been archived or registered with the Swedish Maritime Administration and does not match the authority's template. In addition, the secret stamp does not look authentic. It appears to be computer-generated and not stamped. The conclusion is that it is fake, said the chairman of the investigation, Jonas Bäckstrand. The third review concerned the circumstances surrounding an exercise in port state control that took place on the 'Estonia' the day before the sinking, and the minutes from there. The protocols exist in different versions, which has given rise to speculation, but now the investigation believes it has been able to trace all versions back to the original. The exercise has been discussed following statements that attempts were made by Swedish inspectors to prevent the ship from departing due to serious deficiencies. However, based on testimony and the extent of the deficiencies, no such attempts were made, according to the Swedish Accident Investigation Board. A final report from the Swedish Accident Investigation Board is expected before the end of the year. The results of the reviews now being presented will not be included in the final report because they are not considered relevant. Report with photos: https://www.dn.se/sverige/haverikommissionen-forsoker-sla-hal-pa-konspirationsteorier-om-estonia/
Scandlines sale of Merchant and Aurora to Swedish-Orient Line is perfect
Scandlines has completed the sale of two cargo ships, including routes, to Swedish Orient Line. The contract will apply from 1 September. The route from Rostock to Hanko with units MERCHANT and AURORA will change on first of September to Swedish Orient Lines and the Travemünde - Liepaja route with ferry URD from 1 October 2012.
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