Title: Investigation Points to Chinese Vessel’s Role in Baltic Gas Pipeline Damage
Date: October 20, 20XX
HELSINKI, Oct 20 (Reuters) – The ongoing investigation into the damage caused to the Balticonnector gas pipeline has shifted its focus towards the involvement of the Chinese NewNew Polar Bear container vessel, according to Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
On October 8, a gas pipeline and a telecoms cable connecting Finland and Estonia were shattered, leading Finnish investigators to suspect it could be an act of sabotage. However, they have yet to conclude whether it was an accident or a deliberate act.
In a statement, the NBI mentioned, “The police have established in the criminal investigation that the movements of the vessel NewNew Polar Bear flying the flag of Hong Kong coincide with the time and place of the gas pipeline damage.”
Consequently, investigators are now concentrating on the role of the Chinese vessel in the incident.
The NBI revealed that a “heavy object” was discovered on the seabed near the site of the pipeline damage. They are currently evaluating whether this object is linked to the incident.
Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi stated, “The investigation has confirmed that the damage has been caused by an external mechanical force, and based on current knowledge, there is no reason to believe the damage has been caused by an explosion.”
The NBI has identified a “huge clump of soil” in the clay seabed, which is believed to contain the heavy object in question, and is actively investigating it.
Lohi added, “Attempts will be made to lift the object from the sea for technical examination.”
When contacted by Reuters, NewNew Shipping, the owner and operator of the NewNew Polar Bear, declined to comment.
In another development, Finland’s foreign ministry said it had reached out to China and Russia through diplomatic channels regarding the investigation. The ministry has sought China’s assistance in establishing contact with the NewNew Polar Bear.
Regarding Russia, Finland informed the Russian foreign ministry about the seriousness of the matter and the launch of an investigation.
Simultaneously, a second telecoms cable connecting Sweden and Estonia experienced a partial outage around the same time, raising suspicions of external influence, as stated by Swedish and Estonian authorities.
These incidents have raised concerns about the security of energy supplies in the wider Nordic region, leading the NATO military alliance to escalate patrols in the Baltic Sea.
On Tuesday, investigators named the NewNew Polar Bear and the Russian nuclear-powered cargo vessel, Sevmorput, in their probe. However, Russia’s Rosatom denied any involvement in the pipeline damage.
“We categorically reject as groundless any suggestions that a Rosatom-operated ship may have been in any way connected to the Balticconnector pipeline incident in the Gulf of Finland on October 8,” Rosatom said in a statement.
The investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as new information emerges.
Reporting by Anne Kauranen; Additional reporting by Beijing and Moscow newsrooms; Writing by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Gwladys Fouche, Alex Richardson, and Jonathan Oatis