- Norwegian authorities detained a cargo vessel suspected of damaging an undersea telecom cable, acting on Latvia’s request.
- While Norwegian and Latvian authorities investigated the detained vessel, Swedish officials claimed another ship was responsible.
- The incident adds to a series of undersea infrastructure disruptions, increasing tensions and NATO’s surveillance in the Baltic region.
Norwegian authorities have seized a cargo vessel suspected of damaging an undersea telecom cable in the Baltic Sea. The move follows an investigation requested by Latvia. However, Swedish officials believe a different ship caused the incident, dismissing suspicions about the detained vessel. This event has heightened concerns about maritime security in a region already facing multiple infrastructure disruptions, reports Reuters.
Cargo Vessel Seized Over Suspected Cable Damage
Norwegian police, following a request from Latvian authorities, seized a cargo vessel over its suspected involvement in damaging a telecom cable connecting Latvia and Sweden.
The seizure was conducted with assistance from Norway’s coast guard.
Owner Denies Involvement in Incident
The company that owns the detained vessel denied any role in the cable damage.
Norwegian police stated, “It is suspected that the vessel has been involved in serious damage to a fiber cable in the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden.”
Despite these allegations, the company insists the ship was not responsible.
Sweden Identifies a Different Vessel as the Culprit
A Swedish prosecutor leading the investigation stated that their findings suggest a different vessel caused the damage.
“Our view is that it is the vessel that we have seized that has caused the cable break,” he said, referring to the other ship under Swedish custody.
As a result, Swedish authorities dismissed suspicions against the ship seized in Norway.
Security Fears Grow Over Repeated Disruptions
This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of unexplained disruptions to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Since 2022, multiple power cables, telecom lines, and gas pipelines have been damaged.
The situation has prompted NATO to increase its regional presence, deploying frigates, aircraft, and naval drones.
Vessel’s Route and Cooperation with Authorities
The detained vessel was traveling from one major port to another in the region when it was seized. Authorities confirmed that the crew and owners cooperated voluntarily, following the coast guard’s instructions.
Latvian law enforcement confirmed their request for the seizure but withheld further details due to the ongoing investigation.
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Source: Reuters
