Swedish Maritime Administration’s lapse costs nearly 26 million kronor

In the spring of 2024, the agency signed an agreement with a shipyard to purchase four new pilot boats. Almost SEK 30 million was paid in advance with a bank guarantee as security.

But the shipyard went bankrupt after only one boat was delivered. And since the guarantee had expired, the money was lost.

This is a big mistake for which my organization and I are ultimately responsible, says Erik Eklund, Director General of the Swedish Maritime Administration, to the radio.

Internally at the agency, several parts of the process are criticized, including the fact that the procurement tender stated that the boats would be paid for in advance at 90 percent instead of being paid for in instalments over time, according to Ekot.