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Last month, we reported that a Chinese ship had been detained by European authorities on suspicion of damaging undersea cables in the region. Now, there are reports that another ship has been detained by authorities in the region for the same offense.
Finnish authorities have detained and boarded an oil tanker named Eagle S recently on suspicion of damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable and three other undersea cables on Christmas Day.
The ship is reportedly owned by the United Arab Emirates-based company Caravella LLCFZ, and was found to be carrying oil from Russia to Egypt, and public records show that the ship was on the undersea cable track at the time of the incident.
The Eagle S is also suspected of being part of a fleet of obsolete ships owned by Russian companies registered abroad as a way for the country to bypass economic and trade sanctions imposed on the country.
European authorities say that incidents involving submarine cables are becoming more frequent, causing worsening internet connectivity issues, particularly between regions such as Europe and South America. If they continue, they will need to tighten security in the sea lanes where these submarine cables are laid, and will need to impose fines or harsher penalties if they happen again.