An ongoing investigation into the damage inflicted upon the Balticonnector gas pipeline has taken a significant turn, with the focus now zeroing in on the role of the Chinese container vessel known as the NewNew Polar Bear, Reuters reports.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed that the movements of this vessel, bearing the flag of Hong Kong, coincided with the time and location of the gas pipeline damage. While the investigation has not yet concluded whether the incident was a deliberate act of sabotage or an accident, the NewNew Polar Bear's potential involvement has become a central aspect of the inquiry.
Estonian investigators are also playing a role in this multifaceted investigation and are looking into the involvement of not only the NewNew Polar Bear but also the Russian vessel Sevmorput. Both ships were located at all three sites where the pipeline and telecoms cable damage occurred around the time of the incidents, as confirmed by vessel tracking data.
Furthermore, Finland's NBI has determined that the damage to the pipeline was caused by an external mechanical force, not by an explosion. Notably, a heavy object has been discovered on the seabed close to the pipeline damage site, prompting an investigation into whether it is related to the incident. Efforts are underway to retrieve the object from the sea for further technical examination.
These incidents have raised significant concerns about energy supply security in the wider Nordic region, prompting the NATO military alliance to increase patrols in the Baltic Sea. To address the international dimensions of the case, Finland's foreign ministry has reached out to both China and Russia through diplomatic channels. The Finnish government has contacted China to request assistance in communicating with the NewNew Polar Bear, while it has informed the Russian foreign ministry about the seriousness of the investigation.
Notably, a second telecoms cable, connecting Sweden and Estonia, experienced a partial outage around the same time as the pipeline and cable damage. Both Swedish and Estonian authorities have suggested that external influences may have played a role in this outage, further underscoring the need for a comprehensive investigation.
Russia's Rosatom, in response to the investigation, has vehemently denied any link between its vessel Sevmorput and the pipeline damage. They emphasized that their ship maintained a consistent speed while passing through the Gulf of Finland, an area with intense maritime traffic, and observed nothing unusual or suspicious during its passage.
The investigation remains ongoing, and as it progresses, it may shed light on the circumstances surrounding these incidents and their potential implications for regional security and energy infrastructure.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)