Sweden: Minister of Defence calls for new legislation after Gävle port case

18.10.2017

Sweden: Minister of Defence calls for new legislation after Gävle port case
Dagens Nyheter, 18 Oct 2017, online:-
Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter has revealed that the container terminal in the Port of Gävle was sold to foreign companies without any security check. According to reports, Russia has shown interest in taking over the port. The stake held by operator Nordic Ports and Logistics was sold to Turkish operator Yilport in 2014. Yilport now owns all operations in the port, and the company allegedly has strong ties to Russia. Although a business coordinator representing the Russian government warned in 2013 that dealings seemed suspicious, the municipality did not apply any measures. According to municipality head Göran Arnell, the municipality lacks the competence needed for a security check, and he has also confirmed that the government was not consulted. Swedish Minister of Defence Peter Hultqvist has stated that the case proves that new legislation is needed. Foreign agents may want to receive power over Swedish infrastructure, thus the state should have a stronger role in ensuring control, he adds.
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