The number and size of offshore wind turbine parks planned for the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone is growing rapidly. This development is driven by the increasing demand for green energy and together these offshore parks may produce more than 130 TWh per year. However, the establishment of large offshore wind turbine parks may affect both the rights of navigation laid down in the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea and the possibilities for rescuing ships in distress. Another important issue is how to protect these offshore assets from sabotage in times of war or crisis. The author examines these risks and argues that there is a need for for a national strategic plan regarding the future development of offshore wind turbine parks – a plan that takes these risks into account. 

For Sweden, the worsening security situation raises questions not only in respect to the rearmament of the military defence and potential NATO membership, but also concerning how to organise the supply of food and other necessities in the event of war and other crises. Due to its geographical location on the Scandinavian peninsula, Sweden is dependent on shipping. This dependence persists in times of crises and war, which was clearly demonstrated during World Wars I and II. However, while trade and the shipping industry have since evolved substantially, the legislation that applies to Swedish shipping in times of war and crisis stems from World War II and the end of the Cold War era. Against this background, the article deals with several interrelated legal issues concerning access to Swedish vessels and Swedish seafarers for national military or civil supply purposes in the event of war and times of crisis.The authors argue that certain amendments to the law should be introduced to enable an increase in the number of Swedish flagged vessels, and that the national so-called civilian service should also be applicable to seafarers. The issues are expected to be investigated in three official committees recently commissioned by the Swedish Government.

In this chapter, the implications for the rules on manning are analyzed, i.e., how the development of periodically unmanned ships may affect the regulation of seafarer’s medical fitness and maritime training requirements, as well as the composition, size, and working hours of the crew.