Unrestricted Ocean Shipping and Trading LLC – the owner of the Eagle S ship – is under scrutiny for extensive damage caused to the infrastructure of the Baltic Sea. The infamous Eagle S has been linked to incidents involving the Estlink-2 power cable and multiple data cables which has raised alarms for Finnish authorities concerning the Eagle S. Furthermore, it has now been confirmed that the Russian shadow fleet has been using aging tankers aiding them in evading western sanctions.
Finland and Estonia have joined forces to reconstruct a cable that was destroyed on December 25. The destruction of this cable occurred after the middle of 2022 when three other data cables were targeted for sabotage alongside a Nord Stream gas pipeline. With further inspection, it has been narrowed down that the Eagle S ship might have caused the damage which was further introduced for investigation.
Analyzing The Situation: The Investigation
A survey was done in which Finnish specialists were able to trace an anchor with markings on the seabed which spanned across hundreds of kilometers, with the ship remaining at the center. From this investigation, Chief Sami Paila was able to conclude that the Eagle S ship was permitted to drag across hundreds of miles from the stern.
“The video evidence we gathered clearly show the drag marks left from the anchoring of the vessel. This coupled with Paila’s statement helps us understand and form a picture of the how events unfolded,” Paila Said. Although investigators were able to get some clarity on the damage incurred, it was never made clear why the damage was inflicted in the first place.
The Eagle S vessel was first taken to Porvoo and was escorted to an anchorage which was close to Finland’s south coast. The purpose of this move was to further assist the investigation underway.
Relations Between Russia’s Shadow Fleet and India: Charges and Links
Finland has confiscated Eagle S on grounds of aggravated vandalism, interference with telecommunications, and regulatory violations. Eagle S is claimed to belong to Russia’s shadow fleet which consist of a network of ageing tankers that operate outside of western insured norm, sanctions evasion is often linked to it.
The Finnish customs and the European commission worry about billions of unwanted emissions caused by the old and unmonitored vessels.
Wider Implications
The effect to Estlink-2 comes within the backdrop of the prevailing geopolitical developments such as the Russia Ukraine war, Along with Finland joining NATO present tense conditions for the region after Ukraine’s request to hasten the process of joining NATO in 2023. With a lengthy border of 1340 Kilometres with Russia, the country has decided to abandon its years of neutrality to join the alliance which is expected to cause a profound change in the dynamics of the region.
Following the invasion of Russia, there were several acts of sabotage such as the recent feedback provided to Baltic infrastructure, to counter this action, NATO has increased its patrol strength in that area. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the rate of over vigilance in acts to protect Baltic Sea critical infrastructures has increased.
The Eagle S incident stresses the increasing threats to the security of underwater infrastructures, as accidents and sabotage pose dangers to both regional security and critical services. The Finnish authorities are investigating the case, trying to establish whether the behavior of Eagle S was in bad faith or simply negligent.
