REMIT researcher Eoin McNamara in the Finnish Institute of International Affairs has penned a new op-ed for the Dublin City University blog, discussing what the damage done to gas and communications pipelines in the Gulf of Finland in fall 2023 means in terms of regional maritime security.
“Sudden damage to the Balticconnector pipeline supplying gas between Estonia and Finland was among a series of seemingly related incidents revealing further interference with critical undersea infrastructure in Europe in October 2023. Undersea data cables connecting Estonia and Finland and the EE-S1 cable linking Estonia with Sweden were also damaged. These events give further warning that hybrid interference creating ambiguity around the security of European and transatlantic undersea infrastructure is a growing risk,” says Eoin of the article.
Abstract
Remaining unflustered while aiming to solve problems calmly has traditionally served Finland’s national security well. For more than a century of independence, this is perceived as an effective way to respond to actions from its unpredictable neighbour, the Russian Federation. Against this backdrop, many took notice when the Government of Finland called an unexpected press conference on October 10 2023 to inform the public about a serious national security incident. On the night of October 8 2023, the respective Finnish and Estonian authorities detected a loss of pressure in the Balticconnector pipeline suppling gas between the two countries. The pipeline had been damaged. Finnish authorities started a preliminary investigation. Initial assessments were deemed serious enough for the issue to be elevated to the highest levels of the Finnish government.
Full Citation
Eoin Micheál McNamara, “Damaged Baltic Sea Pipeline Signals More Doubts for Europe’s Maritime Security”, Dublin City University (DCU) Brexit Institute Blog, December 2023. https://dcubrexitinstitute.eu/2023/12/damaged-baltic-sea-pipeline-signals-more-doubts-for-europes-maritime-security/