Investigation into Severed Baltic Sea Cables Focuses on Chinese Vessel

Investigators examining the severing of two crucial data cables in the Baltic Sea are focusing on the movements of a Chinese bulk carrier, raising further concerns over potential sabotage in European waters.

The vessel, Yi Peng 3, was en route from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Port Said in Egypt when it passed close to both the Swedish-Lithuanian and Finnish-German cables, which were cut on Sunday and Monday.

Maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic indicates the vessel’s proximity to the cables around the time of the damage.

The Yi Peng 3 was subsequently shadowed by the Danish navy, according to open-source intelligence experts monitoring the situation.

Sweden has launched an official investigation into the incidents and is closely examining the role that the Chinese ship might have played in the sabotage.

While the Swedish government has declined to comment directly on the involvement of Yi Peng 3, authorities have confirmed that their investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the coastguard and armed forces.

This investigation follows a similar incident from more than a year ago, when the anchor of another Chinese vessel, the Newnew Polar Bear, damaged a gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea. Finnish and Estonian authorities have not publicly stated whether the damage to the pipeline was intentional or accidental, but the incident raised suspicions of potential acts of sabotage.

Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, expressed concerns on Monday that the severing of two fiber-optic cables in just 24 hours was likely a deliberate act of sabotage, part of what he described as “hybrid warfare.”

He emphasized that it was unlikely the cables were severed accidentally, suggesting that the event should be classified as a “hybrid” action.

Although the identity of those responsible remains unclear, Pistorius highlighted the importance of acknowledging the possibility of sabotage.

Yi Peng 3 is owned by Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, a small Chinese company based near the eastern port city of Ningbo. The company owns only one other vessel.

A representative from Ningbo Yipeng confirmed that the company had been asked by the government to cooperate with the investigation, but declined to provide further details, citing travel commitments.

China’s embassy in Stockholm responded to queries by stating that they had no information regarding the issue, and the embassy in Helsinki did not respond.

The United States has expressed strong concerns about the broader implications of hybrid warfare and the involvement of Chinese entities in such activities.

The U.S. has previously accused China of providing direct support to Russia’s military, including supplying materials for its invasion of Ukraine. However, there has been limited public discussion regarding Chinese vessels operating in the Baltic Sea.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the U.S.’s concern over hybrid warfare while stating that it would wait for the outcomes of the ongoing investigations before making specific comments on the Baltic incidents.

The situation highlights growing tensions in the region, with European nations increasingly alert to the potential threats posed by foreign interference in critical infrastructure.

The investigation into Yi Peng 3 and its potential involvement in the severing of the cables underscores the heightened scrutiny of maritime activities and the rising concerns over cybersecurity and geopolitical influence in the Baltic Sea.