Norway Releases Russian-Crewed Ship Seized Over Suspicion Of Baltic Sea Cable Damage

Norwegian authorities have released the Silver Dania, a Norwegian-owned, Russian crewed ship initially suspected of damaging an underwater fibre optic cable connecting Latvia and Sweden’s Gotland island.

After a thorough investigation, no evidence was found linking the vessel to the incident.

The Silver Dania was detained on January 31, 2025, at the request of Latvian authorities. It was escorted to Tromsø police attorney Ronney Jorgensen stated that the investigation would continue but there was no reason for the ship to remain in Tromsø any longer. He said that no findings had been made linking the ship to the act.

Tormod Fossmark, CEO of Silversea, the company that owns the Silver Dania, denied any involvement in the cable damage. He stated that the company was cooperating with authorities on what it considered a serious matter.

“We have no involvement in this whatsoever,” Fossmark told The Associated Press. “We did not have any anchors out or do anything, so that will be confirmed today” in the investigation, he said.

Fossmark stated that the ship’s tracking data showed no irregularities in its journey.

The damaged cable, owned by the Latvian State Radio and Television Center, was found on January 26, 2025. Swedish prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected sabotage and have detained another vessel, the Malta-flagged Vezhen, in connection with the incident.

The Silver Dania’s release follows a series of incidents since late 2022, where crucial communications infrastructure along the Baltic seabed, including natural gas pipelines and cables transmitting data and electricity, have suffered damage.

However, considering the seriousness of the matter NATO has launched a new mission, named “Baltic Sentry,” to safeguard critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea with more frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones deployed in the region to enhance surveillance.

The announcement was made after a summit held in Helsinki, attended by leaders from NATO member states bordering the Baltic Sea, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden.

European authorities have launched several investigations into these incidents, with some officials suggesting that Moscow could be responsible. But, Russia has denied any involvement in sabotaging underwater cables.

Last month, Finnish police seized a Russian oil tanker suspected of damaging the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and four telecom cables by dragging its anchor across the seabed.

In November 2023, the 745-mile C-Lion1 fibre optic cable connecting Finland to Germany was also damaged, with the authorities of both nations suspecting Russian sabotage.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the union’s commitment to support the Baltic nations to address these challenges.

The LVRTC stated that while gas pipelines and power cables can take months to repair, damaged fibre optic cables in the Baltic Sea are typically restored within weeks.

References: Reuters, CNN

Source: Maritime Shipping News