Join our crew and become one of the 110,163 members that receive our newsletter.

The picture provided by The Finnish Border Guard shows Finnish Border Guard's offshore patrol vessel Turva guarding on October 11, 2023 at sea near the place where damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline is pinpointed at the Gulf of Finland. Lehtikuva/FINNISH BORDER GUARD via REUTERS

The picture provided by The Finnish Border Guard shows Finnish Border Guard's offshore patrol vessel Turva guarding on October 11, 2023 at sea near the place where damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline is pinpointed at the Gulf of Finland. Lehtikuva/FINNISH BORDER GUARD via REUTERS

Sabotage Suspicions: Sweden’s Navy Investigates Baltic Sea Cable Damage

Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
November 22, 2024

(Bloomberg) —

Sweden’s Navy completed a survey of the seabed near one of the damaged data cables in the Baltic Sea as the Nordic country investigates potential sabotage against the underwater infrastructure.

A high-speed fiber optic cable connecting Finland and Germany was cut early Monday by what was likely an external impact and a nearby link between Lithuania and Sweden was damaged on Sunday. The incidents are being probed by Swedish police as possible sabotage, and are the second such event in the Baltic Sea in just over a year.

The Navy has finished its investigation of the cable between Finland and Germany, spokesman Jimmie Adamsson said by text message. A probe into the Lithuania-Sweden link began last night, he said, adding that the Navy is in a “constant dialog” with investigators. It’s using unmanned submarines to conduct the studies.

The Danish military is retaining a presence near a Chinese bulk carrier, Yi Peng 3, that was in the vicinity of the cables when they were damaged, data compiled by Bloomberg show. It has been anchored in the northern part of the Danish straits since Tuesday. 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday said the events have to be investigated as sabotage, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday said she wouldn’t be surprised if that turned out to have been the case. China has pushed back, saying it asks its vessels to “strictly abide by relevant laws and regulations.”

Finland is conducting a criminal investigation into the damage to its cable, probing the incident as “aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.” More information is likely to emerge next week, when a repair ship is expected to reach the site and lift up the cable.

© 2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 110,163 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.