Repairs in the works for the damaged underwater cable in Latvia
Vezhen Cleared of Sabotage Charges in Baltic Sea Cable Incident
A Maltese-flagged dry cargo vessel, the Vezhen, has been cleared of charges related to the damage of an undersea fiber-optic cable linking Latvia and Sweden. The incident occurred on January 26, 2025, in the Ventspils-Gotland section of the Baltic Sea, approximately 130 kilometers off the Latvian coast.
The Swedish authorities initially detained the Vezhen in connection to the suspected damage, but later released the vessel in February 2025, stating that they could not find evidence of sabotage regarding the submarine fiber-optic cable incident.
The damaged cable belongs to Latvian transmission system operator LVRTC. The company has been working diligently to repair the cable, having completed most of the preparatory work and procuring the necessary materials. The materials have been delivered to the port from which the repair vessel will start its work.
Measurements of the cable in both directions have been carried out, and the operation of the equipment deployed in Gotland has been checked. LVRTC is confident that the cable repair will be completed soon, restoring the vital connection between Latvia and Sweden.
The Vezhen, owned by the Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgares, has denied any deliberate involvement in the damage of the undersea cable. The Bulgarian company maintains that the vessel was merely passing through the area at the time of the incident.
The exact cause of the cable damage is still under investigation. The incident took place within Swedish economic waters, adding a complex layer to the ongoing investigation.
Despite the setback, both LVRTC and the Swedish authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of such connections and the need for continued vigilance in their protection.
[1] Swedish Prosecutor's Office Releases Vezhen, BBC News, February 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55984399
[2] Vezhen Cleared of Sabotage Charges, LVRTC Press Release, February 2025, https://lvrtc.lv/news/vezhen-cleared-of-sabotage-charges
- Technology has raised concerns within society about the growing number of incidents involving undersea infrastructure, such as the recent sabotage charges against the Maltese-flagged dry cargo vessel Vezhen in the Baltic Sea.
- The general-news community is awaiting the findings of the ongoing investigation concerning the damage to the submarine fiber-optic cable connecting Latvia and Sweden, which occurred in Swedish economic waters.
- The Swedish Prosecutor's Office and Latvian transmission system operator LVRTC are collaborating to ensure the safety and integrity of undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, using technology to conduct investigations and repairs to maintain vital connections for both nations.
