Finland is currently investigating an oil tanker that may have caused damage to an underwater electricity cable and three communication cables in the Gulf of Finland. The vessel, known as the Eagle S, has been brought in for questioning for aggravated sabotage.
The Eagle S was seized by Finnish authorities on Thursday, one day after the Estlink 2 subsea electricity cable was disconnected. According to shipping data, the tanker, which is registered in the Cook Islands, was transporting oil from Russia to Egypt and was tracked passing over the cable during the incident.
Finnish police suspect the ship’s anchor was responsible for cutting the cables, even though they did not locate the anchor onboard. President Alexander Stubb of Finland emphasized the need to mitigate risks from ships associated with Russia’s shadow fleet, following discussions with security leaders.
This shadow fleet consists of older and often poorly maintained vessels that Russia uses to bypass international sanctions on its oil exports. The incident involving the Eagle S adds to growing concerns over potential attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, particularly as foreign vessels have been linked to previous disruptions.
Last year, a Chinese cargo ship was implicated in severing a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia, though it operated in international waters at the time and could not be detained. Just recently, another Chinese bulk carrier traversed two data cables between Finland and Germany right around the time they were cut.
In contrast, the Eagle S voluntarily entered Finnish waters, which clarifies jurisdiction issues regarding this investigation. The ownership of the Eagle S is somewhat unclear, as it seems to be owned by a Dubai company, and attempts to contact the owner have been unsuccessful.
Although both Finland and Estonia have assured that electricity supplies won’t be jeopardized by the damage to Estlink 2, it puts additional strain on Estonia, which relies heavily on electricity exports from Finland. Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna remarked that with the number of incidents occurring, it’s increasingly difficult to dismiss the possibility of intentional sabotage.
While investigators remain open to understanding the motives behind the damage, many in the region suspect Russia may be involved. The European Commission thanked the Finnish authorities for their quick response and is now collaborating with them on the investigation. They stressed the importance of safeguarding Europe’s critical infrastructure and hinted at potential sanctions aimed at those operating within the shadow fleet.
Environmental advocates have also raised alarms regarding the hazards posed by these neglected ships. Meanwhile, another Russian cargo vessel sank in the Mediterranean recently while under U.S. sanctions for connections to the Russian military.