The Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3, linked to the severing of two Baltic Sea undersea cables, has departed international waters near Denmark, heading for Egypt, according to Sweden’s Coast Guard.
At a glance:
- Two undersea telecom cables were cut in Swedish waters on November 17-18, sparking suspicion over the Yi Peng 3, which was in the area at the time.
- Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Denmark participated in an inspection of the ship led by Chinese authorities.
- Sweden emphasized that the investigation was not an official accusation but aimed to gather information.
- European officials suspect sabotage, potentially linked to heightened tensions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Yi Peng 3 had been anchored in the Kattegat Strait since November 19, shortly after the cables were severed. Swedish authorities confirmed its departure on Saturday, stating that the vessel reported its destination as Port Said, Egypt.
Hanna Buhler, Duty Officer for the Swedish Coast Guard, said the ship would continue to be monitored as it leaves the region.
International investigation
The inspection, led by Chinese authorities, included representatives from Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Denmark. Swedish officials participated in an observer capacity, as the ship was anchored in international waters, limiting their jurisdiction.
John Ahlberk, Director of Sweden’s Accident Investigation Authority, noted that the focus was on gathering information rather than conducting an independent investigation. “There have been claims that the cable breakage has to do with anchors from the ship. So it is interesting for us to hear what the crew has to say about it,” Ahlberk said.
Despite participating, Swedish authorities clarified that no formal accusations have been made against China or the vessel.
Damaged cables and broader tensions
The incidents involved two cables: the Arelion cable between Sweden and Lithuania, damaged on November 17, and the C-Lion 1 cable between Helsinki and Rostock, Germany, severed the following day. Both cables are crucial for regional communications.
The Baltic Sea has become a focus of concern following several recent incidents:
- In October 2023, a Chinese cargo ship anchor damaged a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia.
- In September 2022, explosions ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines carrying Russian gas to Europe, an event widely suspected to be sabotage.
While no evidence directly links the Yi Peng 3 to intentional sabotage, European officials have suggested a broader pattern of vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Chinese cooperation and European caution
China’s involvement in the investigation, including leading the inspection, has drawn mixed reactions. While the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized cooperation, he also reiterated that there was no formal accusation against China or its vessel.
The Kremlin, often implicated in European infrastructure attacks, dismissed any link to the cable damage as “absurd” and “laughable.”
As the Yi Peng 3 moves out of Baltic waters, Sweden and its regional partners are likely to continue investigations into the severed cables. The incidents highlight growing concerns over the security of undersea infrastructure and the geopolitical tensions influencing the Baltic Sea region.
