The captain of a container ship in Hong Kong has been arrested in connection with damage to the BalticConnector pipeline, a vital gas link between Estonia and Finland. Wan Wenguo, 43, appeared in Eastern Court, facing charges related to the incident that also involved a nearby telecommunications cable.
Prosecutors claim that Wenguo’s negligence, including failing to maintain proper anchor equipment and neglecting daily reporting to the ship’s owner, led to the damage. This incident raises alarm amidst heightened security concerns in the Baltic Sea, where infrastructure disruptions have increased since 2022. NATO has responded by bolstering its maritime presence in the region.
Finnish authorities are actively investigating the situation and are coordinating with Chinese officials. The next court hearing is scheduled for early July. Under Hong Kong law, authorities can pursue criminal charges based on the nationality of the perpetrator for offenses involving Hong Kong-registered vessels in international waters.
