In an ongoing investigation into the suspected sabotage of a gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia, Finnish authorities have turned their attention to a Chinese cargo ship, the Newnew Polar Bear. The incident, which led to a gas leak and the subsequent shutdown of the Balticconnector pipeline on October 8, has been attributed to “external” activity, according to Finnish authorities.
The Newnew Polar Bear, which reportedly changed ownership to Chinese hands this year and was previously known as the Baltic Fulmar from 2017 to 2022, is now the primary focus of the investigation. Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation has revealed that the movements of the vessel, flying the flag of Hong Kong, coincided with both the time and location of the pipeline’s damage.
DS Risto Lohi stated, “We will cooperate with Chinese authorities in order to establish the role of the said vessel.” Police have also confirmed that the damage was the result of “an external mechanical force” and disclosed the discovery of “a heavy object” near the damaged pipeline.
Lohi explained, “A recently formed huge clump of soil containing probably an extremely heavy object has been found in the seabed.” Authorities are now planning to retrieve this object from the seabed, buried deep within the clay, to ascertain any possible connection to the damaged pipeline.
In addition to the Newnew Polar Bear, Finnish authorities are also investigating a Russian ship, Sevmorput, which was present in the vicinity at the time of the incident. Following the completion of the crime scene investigation into the gas pipeline damage, samples are currently undergoing analysis in the bureau’s forensic library.
The repair of the damaged pipeline is projected to take at least five months, rendering Finland reliant on liquefied natural gas imports for the upcoming winter season. Approximately 5% of Finland’s energy consumption is attributed to natural gas, primarily used in industrial processes and combined heat and power production.
This incident is not the first to disrupt gas transportation in the Baltic Sea. Last year, a series of underwater explosions led to the rupture of three pipelines responsible for conveying natural gas from Russia to western Europe, highlighting the vulnerabilities of critical energy infrastructure in the region.
The ongoing investigation underscores the critical importance of safeguarding vital energy supply routes in an environment marked by geopolitical complexities and security concerns.
