‘Chinese ship was close to undersea pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia when mysterious leak occurred’
- Previous reports focused on possible Russian sabotage at the Baltic Connector
A Chinese ship is suspected to have been close to a major undersea gas pipeline when it suddenly developed a leak in the Gulf of Finland, it was revealed today.
Previous reports had focused on possible Russian sabotage of the Baltic Connector gas pipeline, which links the NATO states of Finland and Estonia. Finnish authorities expect it to be out of service for months after discovering it was damaged earlier this month.
Vladimir Putin described the accusation as “complete nonsense” despite the presence of the Russian oil tanker SGV Float close to the scene, and Fins claims a “state actor” was likely involved.
But now Estonian state broadcaster ERR said the container ship Newnew Polar Bear was closer to the pipeline at the key moment.
Estonian daily Postimees said the ship – flying the flag of Hong Kong but belonging to China – was near the Baltic Connector pipeline when ‘seismic’ activity was recorded in the area.
But now Estonian state broadcaster ERR said the container ship Newnew Polar Bear (pictured above) was closer to the pipeline at the key moment.
Estonian daily Postimees said the ship (pictured here) – flying the flag of Hong Kong but belonging to China – was near the Baltic Connector pipeline when ‘seismic’ activity was recorded in the area.
It was “much closer” than the Russian ship eight days ago, when the leak was caused by “strong mechanical force” in the Gulf of Finland.
The Estonian authorities are said to have been slow to express concrete suspicions, because the information is “so politically and diplomatically sensitive that they first want to have absolute certainty.”
The container ship returned from Shanghai with a stopover in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad on its way to St. Petersburg, it was reported.
Estonia has not yet challenged China at a diplomatic level.
The reinforced ice-class ship will transport 62 large containers from St. Petersburg to China, via the Northern Sea Route, north of Siberia.
Putin mocked Western distrust of Russia.
The 150 kilometer long pipeline provides a third of Finland’s gas needs
Finnish defense sources previously said the government had considered the possibility of Russian interference from the start
“To be honest, I didn’t even know this gas line (Baltic Connector) existed,” he said.
“It could have been anything… Maybe they hit it with some sort of hook. Don’t know . . . An earthquake may have occurred. I don’t know, let them investigate.’
He claimed the West tried to mask his involvement – unproven – in explosions that damaged the Russian-built Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last year.
“These claims have only one purpose: to cover up the West’s terrorist act against the Nord Stream gas pipelines,” he said.
Trials by Germany, Sweden and Denmark have so far failed to pinpoint the blame. Leaks from the German investigation draw attention to a Ukrainian link.
Russia has blamed Britain and the US in various ways.