Chinese sea captain pleads not guilty in Hong Kong court to damaging Baltic Sea cables

Chinese Sea Captain Denies Damaging Baltic Sea Infrastructure in High-Profile Case

The captain of a Hong Kong-flagged vessel appeared in a Hong Kong court Wednesday to face serious allegations related to damaged undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Wan Wenguo, who commanded the container ship Newnew Polar Bear, pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal damage and two additional charges concerning violations of marine safety requirements.

The case centers on damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia, which was severed in October 2023. According to the charge sheet, Wan is accused of damaging both the natural gas pipeline and submarine telecommunications cables “without lawful excuse” while being “reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.”

Finnish investigators previously concluded that the Newnew Polar Bear was responsible for the pipeline damage, prompting Finnish authorities to request China’s cooperation in the investigation. The incident occurred amid heightened security concerns across Europe, as several cases of damaged underwater infrastructure have been reported in the Baltic Sea since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The timing and nature of these incidents have raised alarms among NATO countries and European security experts. Critical undersea infrastructure, including telecommunications cables and energy pipelines, has become increasingly vulnerable to both accidental damage and potential sabotage. Security analysts note that these networks represent vital lifelines for national economies and communications systems.

The Balticconnector pipeline, completed in 2019 at a cost of approximately €250 million, serves as a crucial energy connection between Finland and Estonia. The damage forced an immediate shutdown of gas flows, requiring repairs estimated to cost tens of millions of euros and disrupting regional energy supply chains.

Maritime experts have pointed out that anchor dragging by large vessels represents one of the most common threats to undersea infrastructure. Modern container ships, such as the Newnew Polar Bear, typically carry anchors weighing several tons that can cause catastrophic damage if improperly deployed or if a vessel drifts while anchored.

The Hong Kong court heard that approximately 18 witnesses could be called to testify in the case. The proceedings are being held in Hong Kong because the vessel is registered there, though the alleged incident occurred thousands of miles away in Baltic waters.

This case highlights the complex jurisdictional issues surrounding maritime incidents, where flag states maintain primary responsibility for legal proceedings involving their vessels, even when incidents occur in international waters or within another country’s maritime zones.

The shipping industry has faced increasing scrutiny over safety practices and compliance with maritime regulations, particularly in environmentally sensitive or strategically important sea lanes. Industry observers note that incidents involving critical infrastructure can have diplomatic and economic repercussions far beyond the immediate damage.

If convicted of criminal damage, Captain Wan could face significant penalties under Hong Kong law. The court did not indicate when a verdict might be expected, but maritime cases of this complexity typically involve extensive technical testimony and expert analysis.

The incident underscores the growing importance of protecting undersea infrastructure in an era of increasing geopolitical tensions and the essential role these networks play in global communications and energy security. European nations have responded by increasing surveillance of critical maritime areas and reviewing security protocols for undersea assets.