Furetank participates in historic national defense exercise

In September, Sweden will carry out its largest maritime defense drill since World War II. Furetank will participate with a tanker vessel in the exercise, which aims to test how the shipping industry and national defense together can support the country in times of crisis and war.

The operation takes place during the Donsö Shipping Meet on September 1. The scenario for the exercise is set in a state of highest alert, where Swedish supply lines must be secured, and vessels with vital cargo need to be guided safely into Swedish ports.

Several shipping companies will participate with a wide range of vessel types and personnel. In fact, given the number of involved parties, this will be the largest maritime defense exercise in Sweden since World War II. As part of the drill, one of Furetank’s Vinga-class tankers will be moored at the deepwater quay on Furetank’s home island of Donsö, near Gothenburg.

Unique collaboration between civilian shipping and defense

The exercise is being coordinated by BT-POS Sjö and the Swedish Transport Administration, in close collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), and numerous shipping companies and maritime organizations. Carl Carlsson, chairman of BT-POS Sjö was interviewed by Sjöfartstidningen and praised the willingness of all parties to contribute.

– Drawing on the lessons of World War II, we know that shipping is likely to be among the first sectors affected if the worst were to happen. Compared to other industries and modes of transport, we are more immediately exposed—so all actors and functions involved in moving vessels in and out of ports need to train together to ensure coordination in a real emergency,” Carl Carlsson told Sjöfartstidningen.

”Now we are starting over”

The advanced ship simulator at the Donsö Maritime Training Centre, placed in the former Furetank offices, will be used to coordinate activities between vessels. For Lars Höglund, Chairman of Furetank, participating in the exercise was a natural decision.

– If there is unrest in the world, do we have enough vessels, and how would things work in practice? No one really knows today, since during the long peace after World War II, the Swedish merchant fleet hasn’t trained or coordinated with the military. Now we’re starting over. For a family-owned shipping company like Furetank, taking part is crucial for our long-term future, he said.

Susanne Adolphi, National coordinator at the Swedish Transport Administration called the exercise on Donsö, with both government agencies and private industry as active and driving participants, is a very positive development.

– The long-term goal is to ensure transport capacity in both peacetime and wartime, and for all of us within the transport sector to identify our roles and how we can contribute to strengthening our capabilities. It shows that there is a strong shared commitment to cooperation, taking responsibility, and enhancing our total defence capability, she said to Sjöfartstidningen.

Donsö Shipping Meet becomes a Strategic Arena

Looking ahead, Lars Höglund hopes that closer cooperation between merchant shipping and the defense forces could also benefit skills development and recruitment, since only Swedish crew members may serve in times of war. He sees an ongoing, broader trend of growing awareness in Sweden of the strategic importance of its maritime industry.

– Yes, there is much greater awareness now,” said Lars Höglund. “Politicians and authorities are showing much more interest — we really sense a difference. Using Donsö shipping meet as a platform for this drill is fantastic, and perhaps an eye-opener that this can actually be done — that public authorities, private companies and academic institutions can go hand-in-hand in making this happen,” he said.

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