A Maltese-flagged ship has been cleared of intentionally damaging an underwater data cable in the Baltic Sea, with Swedish authorities attributing the damage to a combination of weather conditions and navigational failures.
The Swedish authorities have concluded that a damaged underwater data cable beneath the Baltic Sea was not intentionally sabotaged. The investigation has found that a combination of weather conditions and inadequate equipment and seamanship contributed to the damage.
On January 26, a Maltese-flagged ship named the ‘Vezhen‘ damaged an underwater communications cable between Sweden and Latvia. The cable transmitted information for a Latvian broadcaster. Swedish authorities seized the ship, but the Bulgarian owners of the vessel, Navibulgar, denied any intentional act of sabotage.
Public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist stated that the ‘Vezhen‘ caused the damage through navigational failures, but ruled out sabotage. He emphasized that the investigation would continue to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The release of the ‘Vezhen‘ comes just days after Norwegian authorities released a Russian-crewed cargo ship suspected of involvement in a similar incident. In December, Swedish police were invited aboard a Chinese ship to observe a Beijing-led probe into cable damage.
Russian-crewed cargo ships play a significant role in the global shipping industry, transporting goods across international waters.
These vessels are typically operated by Russian crews and often carry bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, or grain.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) , Russia has one of the largest fleets of merchant ships in the world.
In 2020, Russian-crewed cargo ships accounted for over 10% of global shipping capacity, highlighting their importance in facilitating international trade.
Incidents involving damaged underwater cables in the Baltic Sea have increased since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. European countries suspect Moscow of involvement, but the Kremlin denies any wrongdoing. In response, NATO has stepped up patrols in the region, deploying warships, fighter planes, satellites, and drones as part of ‘Operation Baltic Sentry‘.
The Baltic Sea is a brackish sea located in Northern Europe, bordering several countries including Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Germany.
It covers an area of approximately 377,000 square kilometers and has a maximum depth of about 459 meters.
The 'Baltic Sea plays a crucial role in international trade' , with numerous ports and shipping lanes connecting it to the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
It's also a vital source of fish and other marine resources.
