Several incidents have occurred in fresh months related to Cable breaking in the Baltic Sea. For this reason, the NATO fleet has increased patrols in the region. another underwater infrastructure protection measures, specified as the installation of anchor detection sensors, which run down the bottom and the construction of protective structures around the cables, are besides considered, noted the Estonian Minister.
He pointed out that all these measures are costly and yet consumers will gotta pay more through higher taxes or media costs. In his opinion a taxation on shipping in the Baltic could aid avoid this. “EU countries will shortly gotta make a decision on this,” Pevkur concluded.
OLIVER HOSLET / PAPMinister for Defence of Estonia Hanna Pevkur
Baltic sea infrastructure peculiarly vulnerable
According to the global Committee for the Protection of Cables in the UK all year around the planet approximately 150 offshore objects are damaged. However, in the Baltic Sea, telecommunications cables, power lines and gas pipes are peculiarly susceptible due to comparatively low depth and advanced shipping traffic. According to any estimates, up to 4000 ships flow through the Baltic Sea each day.
Russia has 2 ports in the Baltic — Primorsk and Ust-Luga. They are liable for, depending on the period, from 1 3rd to half of oil exports by sea.
Estonia's defence minister pointed out that fresh cases of cable breaking in the Baltic Sea indicate a coordinated run with ships from the Russian shadow float. These ships carry oil at a price above the 60-dollar ceiling (about PLN 240) per barrel fixed by Western countries. The Kremlin stated that accusing Moscow of any sabotage is "a complete absurdity, without any grounds."
