In a recent development, Finnish police have announced that a Chinese ship, the Newnew Polar Bear, is now the focus of their investigation into the suspected sabotage of a pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia. The Finnish authorities have been probing the damage caused to the Balticconnector pipeline since its shutdown on October 8th, attributing it to "external" activity.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Finland stated that the movements of the Newnew Polar Bear, which is currently under Chinese ownership but previously known as the Baltic Fulmar between 2017 and 2022, coincided with the time and location of the gas pipeline damage. Authorities are intending to collaborate with Chinese authorities to determine the ship's role in the incident.

According to Finnish police, the damage to the pipeline was caused by an external mechanical force. They have discovered a sizable clump of soil near the damaged pipeline, suspected to contain an extremely heavy object. Efforts will be made to retrieve the object from the seabed, where it is deeply embedded in clay, to ascertain its connection to the pipeline damage.

The investigation has broadened to include another vessel, the Russian ship Sevmorput, which was also in the area at the time of the incident. Finnish authorities are now examining samples collected from the crime scene and will analyze them in their forensic library.

The Balticconnector pipeline, whose repair is estimated to take at least five months, is crucial for Finland's energy supply. With its shutdown, Finland will be heavily dependent on liquefied natural gas imports throughout the winter season. Natural gas constitutes around 5% of Finland's energy consumption, primarily used in industrial processes and combined heat and power production.

As the investigation unfolds, Finland and its international partners will closely monitor the progress in identifying those responsible for the sabotage. The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure and the importance of maintaining security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.