Incident Overview

On January 26, 2025, the cargo ship Vezhen, sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather conditions in the Baltic Sea. En route from Sweden to Latvia, the vessel accidentally dropped its anchor, severing a critical subsea cable that connects the two countries. Initial suspicions of sabotage prompted a swift investigation by Swedish authorities. The Swedish Coast Guard and police quickly seized the Vezhen and launched a criminal investigation, boarding the ship with elite armed police via helicopter. The investigation revealed that the ship’s anchor had been damaged and dragging for over 24 hours, with the autopilot compensating for the pull—a detail the crew had failed to notice. Senior Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist concluded that the incident was an accident resulting from a combination of bad weather, equipment deficiencies, and poor seamanship. The Vezhen was eventually released after the investigation ruled out sabotage. Another vessel, the Silver Dania, was also seized in Norway at the request of Latvian authorities but was later cleared and released. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities in the region’s infrastructure and the need for enhanced security measures, especially given the heightened alertness in the Baltic Sea region since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. gcaptain

Damage to the Subsea Cable

The incident on January 26 was one of several recent events that triggered a hunt for vessels suspected of involvement. Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist confirmed that the Vezhen’s anchor severed the cable due to a combination of bad weather, equipment deficiencies, and poor seamanship. Ljungqvist noted that the anchor was dropped without crew involvement, as two of the three locking mechanisms were out of commission, and the third was a manual lock. Video footage showed a wave hitting the lock, causing the anchor to drop. Ljungqvist emphasized that the incident was not a hybrid attack. The ship dragged its anchor for over 24 hours, with the autopilot compensating for the pull, unnoticed by the crew. Swedish police seized and boarded the Vezhen the day after the cable was damaged in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone. gcaptain

Investigation and Prosecutor’s Findings

The investigation into the incident began immediately after the cable was damaged. Swedish authorities, including the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) and the Swedish Coast Guard, conducted a thorough examination of the Vezhen and the surrounding area. The investigation revealed that the Vezhen’s damaged anchor caused the cable break. The anchor, which was not properly secured, struck the cable during the ship’s transit through rough seas. The investigation also found that the crew lacked proper training in anchor handling procedures, contributing to the accident. The court ruled that the Vezhen was not acting with malicious intent and ordered its release. The incident has raised questions about the safety and maintenance of subsea cables in the Baltic Sea, calling for increased regulation and oversight. Euronews, The Record, CGTN, BBC

Police Actions and Seizures

On January 26, 2025, the Navibulgar bulk carrier Vezhen was seized in the Baltic Sea off Karlskrona by Swedish police forces following the severing of a submarine communication cable between Latvia and Sweden. This incident mirrored similar cases involving the Yi Peng 3 and the Eagle S, both suspected of cutting submarine cables in the Baltic Sea using their anchors. Although the Vezhen was initially suspected of sabotage, Navibulgar CEO Aleksander Kalchev denied intentional sabotage, acknowledging that an accident could not be ruled out. Another vessel, the Norwegian-flagged Silver Dania, was also suspected but released after a brief inspection in Tromso. On February 2, 2025, a Swedish prosecutor announced that the incident was an accident, not sabotage, and the Vezhen was released. Video footage showed a wave hitting the anchor lock, releasing the anchor, with the autopilot continuing to drag it. This incident highlights the complex nature of the investigation and the need for thorough analysis to determine the true cause of the cable damage. Euractiv

Regional Security Concerns

The recent infrastructure outages in the Baltic Sea region have raised significant security concerns. The damage to the subsea cable linking Sweden and Latvia highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. The cable, which carries a substantial amount of the region’s digital communication, was damaged by the cargo ship Vezhen, leading to a temporary disruption in internet and communication services. NATO plays a crucial role in deploying assets to protect critical infrastructure in the region. The alliance has established a robust framework for responding to infrastructure threats, including the NATO Response Force (NRF) and the NATO Maritime Command. Ongoing security measures include increased surveillance of maritime traffic, improved cybersecurity protocols, and enhanced cooperation among regional stakeholders. The incident has led to a review of regional security policies and the implementation of new measures to better protect critical infrastructure. Euractiv

Conclusion

The incident involving the Vezhen underscores the importance of maritime safety and the need for robust infrastructure protection in the Baltic Sea region. As the region remains on high alert due to recent infrastructure outages, NATO’s deployment of assets underscores the global significance of ensuring the security of critical infrastructure.

Sources

• gcaptain – Sweden Says Ship Broke Baltic Sea Cable by Accident
• Euronews – Sweden seizes and boards ship suspected of cable
• The Record – Sweden’s elite armed police used helicopter to board
• CGTN – Sweden releases ship after cable damage investigation
• BBC – Sweden seizes ship after suspected Baltic Sea cable
• Euractiv – Bulgarian shipping company denies cable sabotage in Baltic Sea