Russia could deploy a fleet of “disguised” fishing and research vessels for sabotage purposes to map infrastructure in the North Sea. This is the conclusion of a joint study of four Scandinavian broadcasters. “There are risks,” says Aad Correljé, energy expert at TU Delft.
Past incidents have already suggested that the Russians were involved in this type of activity. Research by Scandinavian broadcasters has shown that this happens systematically. And this can have consequences for our energy supply, says Correljé. There are many cables and pipelines in the North Sea that we depend on, especially gas pipelines.
Risks
Most of the gas we use in NW Europe comes from Norway via pipelines. “If something happens, you’ll have a large part of Europe’s gas supply under control.” To a lesser extent, this also applies to electricity. For data cables, the risks are less because they are easier to route. ‘But even if something were to happen, it would significantly affect data transport to England, the US and the rest of the world.’
Some of the cables and pipelines are located in international waters. However, the coastal states are all responsible for their own part of the North Sea. “Someone can’t just destroy other people’s cables and pipelines in those international waters,” Correljé says.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
