Finnish Probe Widens After Sailors Detained Over Baltic Cable Damage

(MENAFN- The Arabian Post)

Finnish authorities have detained two crew members from a foreign-flagged cargo vessel as part of an expanding criminal investigation into damage to an undersea telecommunications cable linking Helsinki and Tallinn, sharpening security concerns across the Baltic Sea region at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

The sailors were taken into custody following the seizure of the vessel Fitburg, which Finnish officials believe may be connected to the disruption of the fibre-optic link that supports data traffic between Finland and Estonia. Investigators are examining whether the damage was caused by deliberate interference or by negligence linked to the ship's operations while transiting the busy maritime corridor.

Police and border authorities said the vessel, sailing under the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines, had travelled from St Petersburg towards the eastern Mediterranean when it was intercepted. The ship was escorted to Finnish waters, where forensic teams began examining its hull, anchor equipment and navigation data. Officials confirmed that the inquiry is being conducted under Finnish criminal law, with potential charges ranging from aggravated criminal damage to endangering critical infrastructure.

The undersea cable affected forms part of a dense network of subsea connections that underpin communications, financial transactions and government data flows across northern Europe. Although redundancy systems limited immediate disruption to end users, network operators acknowledged that the incident exposed structural vulnerabilities in seabed infrastructure that has become increasingly strategic.

Finnish investigators are coordinating closely with Estonian counterparts, as the damaged cable is jointly operated and maintained. Estonian officials have stated that traffic was rerouted within hours, but warned that repair operations in the Baltic Sea can take weeks due to weather conditions, seabed depth and the need for specialised vessels.

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Security analysts say the case is being watched closely by Nato members bordering the Baltic Sea, where concerns have grown over what officials describe as hybrid threats that fall short of conventional military action. Over the past two years, several incidents involving pipelines, cables and energy infrastructure in European waters have triggered tighter surveillance and intelligence-sharing among allied states.

Finnish authorities have been careful to avoid speculation about motive, stressing that the investigation remains evidence-driven. Senior police officials said detentions were based on reasonable suspicion and that the rights of the suspects are being respected under Finnish law. The sailors, whose nationalities have not been disclosed, are expected to be questioned further as technical analysis of the damage continues.

Maritime tracking data reviewed by investigators indicates that the Fitburg reduced speed near the location where the cable was later found to be severed. Specialists are analysing whether anchor deployment or dragging could have caused the break. Similar incidents elsewhere have often been attributed to accidental anchor strikes, although deliberate sabotage has not been ruled out in this case.

The Baltic Sea is one of the most heavily trafficked maritime regions in the world, with thousands of commercial vessels crossing it each month. Beneath its waters lies a complex web of power cables, gas pipelines and data links connecting Nordic and continental European economies. Protecting these assets has become a priority for regional governments, particularly after the destruction of parts of the Nord Stream gas pipeline system in 2022.

Finland, which joined Nato in 2023, has since expanded naval patrols and invested in maritime domain awareness technologies, including seabed monitoring and satellite surveillance. Officials say such measures are designed to deter hostile activity while improving the ability to respond quickly when incidents occur.

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Industry experts note that undersea cables are inherently difficult to secure because of their length and exposure. While armouring and burial offer some protection, large sections remain accessible on the seabed. Repair operations are costly and logistically complex, often requiring international cooperation and specialised contractors.

The case has also drawn attention to the role of commercial shipping in safeguarding critical infrastructure. Maritime insurers and port authorities across northern Europe have begun reassessing risk models, while shipping companies face growing scrutiny over compliance with navigational best practices in sensitive zones.

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