HELSINKI: Finland is set to conduct a port state control inspection of the tanker Eagle S amid suspicions of its involvement in the recent Baltic Sea cable sabotage, as announced by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) on Thursday. The inspection is described as routine but may extend over several days to ensure it does not interfere with ongoing police operations and investigations surrounding the incident.
According to Anadolu Agency, Sanna Sonninen, Traficom’s director of Maritime Affairs, emphasized that the crew’s workload would be considered during the inspection process, and findings would be disclosed upon completion. The Eagle S, flagged under the Cook Islands and associated with Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was reportedly en route from a Russian port to Egypt’s Port Said when the incident occurred. The vessel’s risk classification necessitates a detailed inspection, which will include equipment tests and safety exercises.
Traficom further highlighted the potential consequences of non-compliance, indicating that deficiencies or violations of ship safety regulations could result in the vessel being required to correct the issues or even face operational halts until resolved. This scrutiny reflects Finland’s cautious approach amid rising concerns over maritime security in the Baltic Sea, a region that has witnessed multiple infrastructure disturbances since Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in early 2022.
The Baltic Sea has been a hotspot for infrastructure incidents, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions following Russia’s actions in Ukraine. A recent incident involved the shutdown of a Finnish-Estonian undersea gas pipeline due to damage reportedly caused by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship. Similarly, telecommunications cables connecting Sweden and Denmark were severed last month, with authorities suspecting another Chinese vessel, although China denied requests to investigate.
Additional damage to undersea cables, such as the Arelion and C-Lion 1, has been reported near Sweden’s territorial waters, raising suspicions of sabotage possibly linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite these concerns, the Kremlin has dismissed allegations of Russian involvement as baseless. The Baltic region remains vigilant as investigations continue into these disruptions, underscoring the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.