Finland charges oil tanker captain over undersea cables sabotage
Charges Filed Against Crew of Eagle S Tanker
Finland’s national prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that it has charged the captain and first and second officers of the Cook Islands-registered oil tanker Eagle S. The charges stem from the alleged cutting of undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland in December 2024. The incident, which involved the suspected sabotage of the Estlink-2 power cable, has raised significant concerns regarding energy supply and telecommunications in Finland.
Details of the Incident
On December 26, 2024, Finnish authorities boarded the Eagle S, a tanker linked to Russia, to investigate its involvement in the severing of five undersea cables. The vessel had departed from Ust-Luga, Russia, carrying oil products when it reportedly dragged its anchor across the seabed for approximately 90 kilometers, causing extensive damage. According to the Finnish prosecutor’s office, the incident not only disrupted Finland’s use of the cables but also resulted in immediate repair costs exceeding 60 million euros (around $70 million).
Authorities expressed that the damage to the Estlink-2 cable posed a serious risk to Finland’s energy supply and telecommunications, although alternative connections were available to mitigate the impact. The defendants, however, have denied the charges, arguing that Finland lacks jurisdiction since the incident occurred outside its territorial waters. Despite being flagged in the Cook Islands, the Eagle S is suspected of being part of a “shadow fleet” that aids Russia in circumventing international sanctions.
Broader Implications and Previous Incidents
The Eagle S incident is not isolated; it follows a series of similar occurrences affecting undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In November 2024, two telecommunications cables connecting Sweden and Denmark were severed, and another cable linking Lithuania and Sweden went offline shortly thereafter. A Chinese bulk carrier, Yi Peng 3, was implicated in the latter incident, but Swedish authorities faced challenges in proving intent, as investigations found no conclusive evidence of deliberate action.
In response to these threats, NATO launched the Baltic Sentry mission in January, involving eight allied nations to safeguard undersea cables. A recent report by The Royal United Services Institute highlighted the existence of Russia’s “dark fleet,” which comprises around 1,600 vessels engaged in illicit activities, primarily related to the oil trade. The report emphasized the difficulty in proving intent behind cable severing incidents, as accidental damage is common due to anchor drags and fishing activities.
As geopolitical tensions rise, the legal frameworks established for protecting submarine cables, such as the 1884 Convention for the Protection of Submarine Telegraph Cables, may prove inadequate in addressing modern hybrid threats. The situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation and legal clarity in safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure.
