Finnish authorities announced on Saturday that they are relocating an impounded tanker, the Eagle S, closer to the port after it was boarded earlier this week. The vessel, which was carrying Russian oil, is under suspicion of causing damage to an undersea power line and four telecommunications cables.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Baltic Sea nations have been particularly vigilant following a series of outages affecting power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines. In response to these concerns, NATO stated on Friday that it will enhance its presence in the region.
The Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, was intercepted by a Finnish coast guard crew on Thursday, who took control of the tanker and navigated it into Finnish waters. According to Finnish police, it is believed that the tanker may have inadvertently damaged the undersea cables by dragging its anchor along the seabed.
The Helsinki police department confirmed that efforts are underway to transfer the Eagle S from the Gulf of Finland to Svartbeck, an inner anchorage close to the port of Kilpilahti, which is thought to be a more suitable location for further investigations.
Additionally, Finland’s customs service suggests that the Eagle S is part of a “shadow fleet” of older tankers that are purportedly being used to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil sales. In response to the seizure, the Kremlin downplayed the incident, consistently denying involvement in any of the recent disruptions to Baltic infrastructure.
This situation highlights the complex interplay between geopolitical tensions and the maritime industry as nations navigate the consequences of sanctions and security concerns in the region.
Overall, while challenges persist, the proactive measures taken by Finnish authorities illustrate a dedicated effort to enhance maritime safety and security in response to ongoing geopolitical issues.
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