On January 31, 2025, Norwegian authorities seized the Russian-crewed ship Silver Dania, suspected of damaging an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea. The operation was conducted at the request of Latvian authorities and followed a court order from Norway, after a cable linking Sweden and Latvia was damaged earlier in the week.
- Norway seizes Russian ship for sabotage suspicion.
- Latvian authorities requested the ship's seizure.
- NATO increases Baltic Sea patrols for security.
- Undersea infrastructure damage concerns are rising.
- Shipping company denies wrongdoing regarding vessel.
- Russian ships suspected in hybrid warfare tactics.
The seizure of the Silver Dania is part of a broader concern regarding damage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. This includes cables essential for communication and electricity distribution. NATO has increased its patrols in response to rising incidents of sabotage, especially following the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022.
Key details surrounding the incident include:
- The Silver Dania is a 36-year-old cargo vessel owned by a Norwegian company.
- Norwegian coast guard and police towed the ship to the Port of Tromso for investigation.
- Authorities boarded the vessel to search for evidence and question the crew.
The vessel’s owner, Silver Sea, has denied any wrongdoing, stating they complied with authorities’ requests. This incident follows another event where Swedish authorities detained a different ship suspected of sabotage to an undersea cable connecting Sweden and Latvia. The involvement of Russian ships in these acts has raised concerns about hybrid warfare tactics amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
This seizure highlights the increasing scrutiny of maritime activities in the Baltic Sea as nations respond to threats against critical infrastructure. The investigation into the Silver Dania could provide further insights into the motivations behind these acts of sabotage.
