Finland says anchor found near site of damage to Balticconnector gas pipeline likely belongs to Chinese vessel

Finnish police have recovered a two-meter-long anchor from the bottom of the Baltic Sea, which is suspected to have damaged the Balticconnector gas pipeline on October 8, report Finnish news outlets Helsingin Sanomat and Yle.

According to the police, there were broad drag marks near the area where the pipeline was damaged, indicating that an object was dragged along the seabed. On the other side of the anchor, a narrow path extends for several kilometers.

The police are investigating the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline, which runs between Finland and Estonia, as an act of sabotage. During the preliminary investigation, investigators discovered that the Sevmorput Russian nuclear-powered container ship and the Newnew Polar Bear vessel, belonging to a Chinese shipping company under the flag of Hong Kong, were passing through the area when the pipeline was damaged.

Finnish police have focused their investigation on the Chinese vessel, which did not respond to the Finnish authorities’ requests at sea. The ship is suspected to be missing its front left anchor. The police are currently determining whether the damage to the pipeline was intentional or accidental.

Responding to a question about whether the police still suspect Sevmorput, a representative from the criminal investigation said that the Russian ship is no longer considered the primary focus.