Norwegian authorities have cleared the Russian-crewed cargo ship Silver Dania after investigations found no evidence linking the vessel to damage sustained by an underwater fibre optic cable between Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland.
Investigation Exonerates Silver Dania of Cable Damage
On Friday evening, Tromsø police confirmed that their investigation into the Silver Dania found no connection to the damaged cable. Authorities had been looking into the possibility that the ship played a role in the incident, which took place in the Baltic Sea.
“Tromsø police district has now conducted a number of investigative steps and secured what we see as necessary considering the request from Latvia. The investigation will continue, but we see no reason for the ship to remain in Tromsø any longer,” said Ronny Jorgensen, Tromsø police attorney.
The Silver Dania was intercepted by the Norwegian Coast Guard on Thursday evening and brought to Tromsø port the following morning. This action followed a request from Latvian authorities and a ruling from a Norwegian court.
The ship had been traveling between Russia’s St. Petersburg and Murmansk ports when the damage to the fibre optic cable was discovered last weekend. Authorities initially suspected a link between the ship and the damage, but no evidence has emerged to support this theory.
No Evidence Found After Ship Search and Crew Interviews
The Norwegian authorities searched the ship and interviewed its crew members, but did not reveal any additional findings from the investigation. Tormod Fossmark, CEO of SilverSea, the Norwegian company that owns the Silver Dania, firmly rejected any claims that the vessel was involved in the cable damage.
“We have no involvement in this whatsoever,” Fossmark told The Associated Press. “We did not have any anchors out or do anything, so that will be confirmed today,” he added, referring to the investigation’s outcome.
Fossmark further stated that the ship’s tracking data had shown no irregularities during its journey. The vessel, which was not carrying cargo at the time, was set to continue its voyage later that day.
Sweden Launches Sabotage Investigation Following Cable Damage
The fibre optic cable connecting Ventspils, Latvia, to Gotland, Sweden, was found damaged on Sunday, leading Swedish prosecutors to open a preliminary investigation into possible sabotage. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of undersea communication infrastructure in the region.
As part of the investigation, the Malta-flagged vessel Vezhen was also detained. The Bulgarian owner of Vezhen has acknowledged that the ship may have unintentionally caused the damage but denied any allegations of sabotage or intentional harm by the crew.
The investigation into the cable damage remains ongoing, and authorities are continuing to examine other possible leads and vessels in connection with the incident.
Authorities Continue Investigation into Baltic Sea Incident
While the Silver Dania has been cleared of any involvement in the damage to the undersea cable, the investigation into the incident continues. Swedish authorities are pursuing further leads and considering all possible causes, including the possibility of sabotage.
The ongoing probe into the Baltic Sea cable damage underscores the importance of securing vital undersea communication infrastructure in the region, especially as tensions in the area remain high.
For more updates on this developing story, visit EuroNews24.