BSPC Working Group Tackles Russian Shadow Fleet and Undersea Cable Threats at Bergen Meeting
The fourth meeting of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) Working Group on Energy Security, Self-sustainability, Resilience, and Connectivity (WG ESSRC) convened in Bergen, Norway, from 26–28 November 2024, drawing 35 participants from across the Baltic Sea region. Delegates from Åland Islands, Baltic Assembly, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hamburg, Latvia, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, and Schleswig-Holstein joined officials and experts in addressing escalating threats to regional energy and maritime security.
The working group continued discussing energy security in the Baltic Sea Region and encouraged collaboration in energy and sustainability research and innovation.
The meeting occurred amidst pressing concerns about the Russian shadow oil tanker fleet operating in the Baltic Sea and the recent sabotage of critical undersea cables linking Helsinki and Rostock, as well as Lithuania and Gotland. These incidents underscore the need for enhanced maritime surveillance and robust protection of the region’s critical offshore infrastructure.
Chair of the WG ESSRC, Mr Andris Kulbergs, pointed out the importance of the meeting due to concerns about the growing threat posed by the Russian shadow oil tanker fleet in the Baltic Sea, as well as the highly publicised damage to two critical undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. These incidents affecting connections between Helsinki and Rostock, and Lithuania and Gotland highlight the increasing vulnerability of the critical offshore infrastructure to sabotage and other security threats, as well as the need to act together to enhance critical infrastructure protection and strengthen the collective response of the Baltic Sea region. He also emphasised that this meeting was a kind of jubilee as, after 20 years, the BSPC was back in Bergen because the 2004 annual conference took place there.
Spotlight on Infrastructure and Innovation
The participants engaged in a series of site visits to critical facilities, including the Kollsnes Process Plant, the Royal Norwegian Navy, and the renewable energy company Eviny:
- Kollsnes Process Plant: Managed by Gassco, this facility exemplifies Norway’s role in securing energy supplies for millions of Europeans. The site plays a pivotal role in gas transport and innovation, including ongoing hydrogen and CO2 transport systems studies.
During the visit to the Kollsnes Process plant, the members of the WG could learn more about Gassco and Equinor. (Link to the presentations about Gassco & Link to the presentation about Equinor)
Gassco is the integrated Norwegian gas transport system operator and is responsible for safe and efficient gas transport from the Norwegian continental shelf. Relationship Manager of Gassco, Mr Pål Rasmussen, highlighted that the role of Gassco is to ensure that everything booked is ensured to the market – freight volumes, timing, and quality. The three main projects include operatorship, which provides for physical operatorship for process plants, pipelines, and receiving terminals; gas transport from field to market; and further development of Norwegian gas infrastructure, including studies for the transport of hydrogen and CO2. The Site Manager of Kollsnes, Mr Bjarte Padøy, informed about Equinor – an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Equinor compasses oil and gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions, aiming to become a net-zero energy company by 2050.
- Royal Norwegian Navy: Delegates explored the network of maritime security collaborations involving NATO, government entities, and the private sector. Discussions included rules of engagement for suspicious vessels and strategies for safeguarding infrastructure in international waters.
During the visit to the Royal Norwegian Navy, the branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces responsible for naval operations, the members learned that the maritime security network is made up of a whole-of-government maritime approach – people from the industry, NATO, governmental organisations, and international organisations gather together to discuss issues jointly regularly. It was also possible to discuss rules of engagement in case of suspicious vessels and the need to raise awareness and cooperation to have a policy for critical infrastructure in open international waters.
- Eviny: A leading player in renewable energy with a 100-year commitment to sustainable energy solutions, including onshore and offshore wind power, as well as hydropower, plays a vital role in the green energy transition. (Link to the presentation)
Senior Adviser of Eviny, former MP and State Secretary for Energy, and a former long-standing member of the BSPC Standing Committee, Mr Per Rune Henriksen, informed that Eviny is one of the biggest renewable energy and technology companies In Norway. For 100 years, they have made solutions for sustainable production and distribution of green energy. They are also now leading the way in ensuring more energy and power in nature, such as offshore and onshore wind and hydropower.
Deep Dives into Regional Threats
Russian Shadow Oil Tanker Fleet
Experts Professor Henrik Ringbom from the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law and Mr Alexander Lott from the Norwegian Center for the Law of the Sea at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) provided an overview of the complex regulatory landscape surrounding the shadow fleet, emphasising the urgent need for coordinated measures, including maritime surveillance and intelligence sharing.
They informed about the multiple layers of regulation regarding such issues, including prescriptive and enforcement jurisdiction in flag and coastal states. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was also assessed in the context of safeguards to ensure that coastal/port states do not abuse their powers concerning foreign ships. The discussion is tied to recent EU initiatives from November 2024 to counter sanction evasion and bolster maritime security.(Link to the presentation)
The WG members deepened the topic of the threat posed by the Russian shadow oil tanker fleet in a discussion with the experts.
The WG chairman, Andris Kulbergs, highlighted that this issue, which was also discussed extensively in the prior meetings in Helsinki and Greifswald, was strongly highlighted in the BSPC resolution adopted in Helsingør. The resolution urged the governments to prioritise measures such as enhancing maritime surveillance, intelligence sharing, regulatory enforcement, and international collaboration to mitigate environmental and security risks associated with these fleets.
It was agreed that the timing of this discussion is particularly relevant, as both the European Parliament and the European Commission adopted significant and detailed measures on this issue on November 11th and 14th. These decisions focus on countering the shadow fleet, preventing sanction evasion, and addressing environmental and security risks. These developments highlight the urgency of coordinated action.
Undersea Cable Sabotage
The group also addressed the high-profile sabotage of undersea cables, examining legal frameworks like UNCLOS and gaps in jurisdiction. Delegates agreed on the need for strengthened regional cooperation and rapid response mechanisms, emphasising the importance of pre-emptive planning.
Surveying Regional Governments
A significant outcome of the meeting was the decision to launch a survey targeting national and regional governments in the Baltic Sea states. The survey, developed by the BSPC WG ESSRC, seeks to assess:
- Existing measures for monitoring shadow fleet activities and plans for enhancing maritime surveillance.
- Legal opinions and procedures in place to address undersea infrastructure sabotage.
- Gaps in current legal frameworks and potential initiatives for bridging these gaps.
- The feasibility of establishing regular high-level Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) meetings to address critical infrastructure protection.
The survey aims to foster a coordinated response and will serve as a foundation for discussions at the next working group meeting in March 2025 in Stockholm.
Looking Ahead
Chairman Andris Kulbergs closed the meeting by emphasising the urgency of building resilience across the Baltic Sea region. The WG ESSRC will continue addressing these critical challenges, ensuring the Baltic Sea remains a bastion of cooperation and sustainability.