There is a new twist in the case surrounding the damaged Baltic Sea pipeline Balticconnector. There is no longer talk of a possible explosion, but a Chinese freighter is likely responsible. Now the role of the ship ‘Newnew Polar Bear’, owned by a Chinese shipping company, is being investigated.
A drag mark of one and a half to four meters wide can be seen on the seabed, leading to the location of the damage to the gas pipeline, Risto Lohi of the Finnish Criminal Investigation Department said at a press conference on Tuesday. An anchor was also found a few meters away, which probably caused the track and the damage.
Anchor with telltale markings
The Hong Kong-flagged vessel Newnew Polar Bear is believed to have caused the damage. According to Lohi, the anchor was recovered Tuesday morning. Traces are visible that indicate that there has been contact with the pipeline.
The issue of sabotage has not yet been resolved
The Balticconnector gas pipeline runs between Inkoo in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia through the Gulf of Finland in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea. She was damaged on 8 October.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö announced two days later that the damage to the line and a data cable between Finland and Estonia was likely caused by “external activity”. It is still unclear whether it was an accident or deliberate sabotage.
The Finnish police had already announced on Friday that they would concentrate on the role of the ‘New New Polar Bear’ in the investigation into the incident. The ship is owned by a Chinese shipping company.
Source: Krone
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