YET ANOTHER vessel has been detained following a over a suspected case of sabotage in the Baltic Sea, this time for damages to a communications cable running between Sweden and Latvia.
Swedish authorities have seized Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Vezhen, which now reportedly sits anchored outside the Swedish port of Karlskrona, suspected of having carried out the sabotage on the Ventspils-Gotland optical cable.
The Swedish Security Service confirmed it is conducting a preliminary investigation on the case, while a criminal investigation is being headed by a prosecutor at the Swedish National Security Unit.
The incident marks the latest in a series of sea cable incidents in the Baltic Sea, with a recent incident involving Cook Island-flagged Eagle S still under investigation by Finnish authorities.
According to Equasis, Vezhen is listed as being operated by Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar).
Navibulgar released its official position on the situation on its website, stating it “does not have information about any intentional actions by the crew of m/v Vezhen that could lead to such an incident”.
“According to the information we have received, this is a force majeure situation that occurred due to the unfavourable hydrometeorological conditions in the area.
“Navigation Maritime Bulgare JSC does express full support to the authorities in the investigation and is ready to provide all necessary information in order to clarify the case.”
The shipping line said it believed in the objectivity of the investigation and expects a “quick clarification” of the situation, and affirming that its priority was the safety of the crew.
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence released a statement stating that on 26 January, its Naval Forces received information from the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre regarding damage to the Ventspils-Gotland optical cable in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone.
It said its Naval Forces immediately dispatched a patrol vessel to inspect a potentially involved ship.
“The Naval Forces have communicated with NATO allies, including Sweden, and maintain ongoing information exchange,” the ministry said.
“The Naval Operations Center has analyzed vessel movements in the area of the cable damage.
“Two additional vessels were identified in the approximate underwater infrastructure damage area, located outside Latvia’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.”
Overseas media is reporting the head of Navibulgar, Captain Aleksandar Kalchev, said one of the ship’s anchors dropped to the seabed in high winds and that there was no malicious intent.
The Swedish Security Service says it is closely cooperating with several other authorities to investigate the circumstances around the incident, including the Swedish Coast Guard, the Swedish Armed Forces, and the Swedish Police Authority.
