A Chinese cargo ship loaded with Russian fertilizer finds itself at the center of an international maritime incident as NATO warships maintain a tense vigil in the Baltic Sea.
According to Newsweek, the Yi Peng 3, a 225-meter Chinese bulk carrier, is suspected of deliberately severing crucial undersea data cables connecting Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, and Finland on November 17-18.
European investigators have launched sabotage probes into the incident, which has escalated tensions between Beijing and European nations. The vessel's unusual behavior, including a mysterious "dark incident" where it shut off its transponder, has raised concerns about potential Russian involvement in the infrastructure damage.
The Yi Peng 3's journey began at Russia's Ust-Luga port on November 15, marking the start of what would become a contentious international incident. NATO vessels from Denmark, Germany, and Sweden now maintain constant surveillance of the Chinese ship while authorities negotiate access to question the crew.
A senior investigator shared their perspective on the unlikely nature of the incident. Their statement emphasizes the improbability of the situation:
It's extremely unlikely that the captain would not have noticed that his ship dropped and dragged its anchor.
The vessel's anchor reportedly dragged for over 100 miles, causing significant damage to underwater communications infrastructure. Physical evidence, including damage to the ship's anchor and hull, appears consistent with cable severance activities.
The investigation has taken a complex turn as authorities explore potential ties to Russian intelligence. The Yi Peng 3's recent operational history shows a significant shift from exclusively Chinese waters to frequent visits to Russian ports since March 2024.
The incident bears striking similarities to a previous case involving another Chinese vessel, the Newnew Polar Bear, which allegedly damaged a Finnish gas pipeline and cable while carrying Russian sailors. These patterns have intensified Western concerns about coordinated infrastructure attacks.
Benjamin L. Schmitt from the University of Pennsylvania has identified this as a crucial area of investigation. The Kremlin has dismissed all accusations as baseless, drawing parallels to previous allegations regarding the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.
The current situation has created a complex legal challenge, as international maritime law prevents NATO forces from forcibly moving the vessel to an allied port. This limitation has resulted in a prolonged standoff in the Kattegat strait.
China's Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Mao Ning, has publicly expressed support for protecting submarine cables under international law. This diplomatic response comes as investigators deploy underwater drones to assess the full extent of the damage.
Danish Navy ships first intercepted the vessel after it raised its anchor in the Kattegat strait, initiating what has become a multinational monitoring operation. The situation continues to evolve as authorities work within the constraints of international law to advance their investigation.
The Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier operated by Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, remains surrounded by NATO warships in the Baltic Sea following suspicious activities that damaged critical undersea communications infrastructure. The incident occurred between November 17-18, severing data cables connecting multiple European nations. European investigators are pursuing sabotage inquiries while exploring potential connections to Russian intelligence operations.
