Chinese Cargo Ship Suspected of Dragging Anchor to Damage Baltic Sea Cables, Says WSJ

An investigation suggests that the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 may have intentionally dragged its anchor across the Baltic Sea floor, damaging two critical communication cables connecting Finland, Lithuania, and Germany.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Yi Peng 3 is suspected of severing the cables last week while its anchor dragged along the seabed for over 160 kilometers.

The incident occurred after the vessel dropped anchor on November 17 at around 21:00 local time in Swedish waters. Despite anchoring, the ship continued moving, resulting in the first cable being damaged between Sweden and Lithuania.

At that time, the ship’s transponder was turned off, and Yi Peng 3 continued to move even as the anchor significantly slowed its speed. Early the next morning, on November 18, the ship traveled more than 660 kilometers and severed a second cable between Germany and Finland. Afterward, it moved erratically, lifted its anchor, and resumed its journey.

Danish naval ships intercepted the Yi Peng 3 and forced it to drop anchor in the Kattegat Strait, which connects the Baltic and North Seas. An inspection of the vessel’s anchor and hull revealed damage consistent with dragging the anchor and cutting the cables, sources told the Wall Street Journal.

The investigation is now examining whether the ship’s captain had any contact with Russian intelligence before the incident. A senior European investigator involved in the probe noted that it would be highly unlikely for the captain to have failed to notice the prolonged dragging of the anchor, which slowed the ship and severed cables along its path.

Earlier on November 18, 2024, the C-Lion1 undersea cable, which connects Finland and Germany, was damaged, disrupting telecommunications between the two countries. The cable, which has been operational since 2016, is crucial for direct communication between Finland and Central Europe.