A Finnish court has granted permission to detain the tanker Eagle S, linked to the so-called “shadow fleet,” following an incident that caused significant damage to energy and communication cables in the Baltic Sea. The decision comes amid growing concerns about the security of underwater infrastructure in the region.
The Eagle S was apprehended by Finnish authorities on 28 December after investigations revealed evidence suggesting that the vessel’s anchor had dragged along the seabed, leading to the damage. Among the affected infrastructure were an energy cable and four communication cables.
The District Court of Helsinki rejected an appeal from the vessel’s operator, Caravella LLC, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, to lift the detention order. The court’s electronic response confirmed the ruling, allowing Finnish authorities to continue holding the vessel for further investigations.
The Eagle S, flying under the Cook Islands flag, has been identified as part of a network of ships dubbed the “shadow fleet.” This fleet reportedly facilitates the transportation of Russian oil products, often circumventing sanctions and scrutiny.
Investigations and Accusations
Finnish authorities are probing the incident to determine the extent of the tanker’s involvement. The charges under consideration include causing extensive property damage and interfering with communication systems. Currently moored in a southern Finnish port, the Eagle S is under close examination for its suspected role in damaging critical underwater infrastructure.
Evidence collected from the seabed has strengthened suspicions that the tanker dragged its anchor during the incident. This marks the third occurrence in just over a year where anchoring has been linked to underwater cable damage in the Baltic Sea.
Wider Context of Underwater Cable Damage
This latest incident has drawn attention to a series of disruptions to underwater infrastructure in the Baltic region. On 2 December, a fibre-optic cable connecting Finland and Sweden was severed, causing significant communication outages. A similar event occurred on 18 November when a communication cable between Finland and Germany was damaged, with investigations still underway.
The damage to the Estlink 2 energy cable between Finland and Estonia on 25 December has been particularly severe. Authorities have described the repair process as both lengthy and costly, underlining the vulnerability of critical underwater connections.
Shadow Fleet’s Growing Presence
The “shadow fleet” has become a focal point of international scrutiny, especially following sanctions on Russian energy exports. This network of vessels operates under various flags of convenience, often employing evasive tactics to obscure their activities. The Eagle S’s identification as part of this fleet highlights concerns over the potential risks these ships pose to maritime security and infrastructure.
Strategic and Economic Implications
The incident has raised questions about the security of vital underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, a region already tense due to geopolitical factors. Finland’s investigations into the Eagle S could set a precedent for how such cases are handled in the future, particularly concerning the accountability of vessels linked to sanctioned entities.
As the probe continues, Finland faces the dual challenge of addressing immediate damages while ensuring the long-term protection of its underwater networks. The situation highlights the strategic importance of safeguarding maritime infrastructure, not just for Finland, but for the broader Baltic region.
Image: By Htm – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157376203
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