
Shadow Fleet
An exploration of Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” and its role in damaging critical submarine cables in the Baltic Sea.
Hall of shame.
The Rusty Anchor Award goes to the ships that have been caught.

Eagle S
The Eagle S is a crude oil tanker flagged under the Cook Islands. It was implicated in damaging the Estlink 2 power cable and telecom cables between Finland and Estonia on December 25, 2024, by dragging its anchor across the seabed.

NewNew Polar Bear
The NewNew Polar Bear, a Hong Kong-registered container ship, caused significant damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and submarine cables in October 2023 by dragging its anchor for hundreds of nautical miles.

Yi Peng 3
The Yi Peng 3, a Chinese bulk carrier, was suspected of damaging two submarine cables (BCS East-West Interlink and C-Lion1) in November 2024. Investigations suggest it dragged its anchor over 160 kilometers, severing critical connections.
The list of ships associated with the so-called "Shadow Fleet" is not complete. There are indications that additional vessels, operating under various flags, may also be involved in similar incidents. These ships often employ tactics such as disabling transponders (AIS signals) to obscure their movements and typically operate in regions critical to infrastructure, such as submarine cables and pipelines.
- Suspicious Activities: Many of these ships operate near submarine cables or energy pipelines, engaging in seemingly innocuous actions like anchoring or slow navigation. However, such maneuvers can be deliberately used to cause damage.
- International Cooperation: NATO members and other European countries are enhancing surveillance and collaboration to investigate and prevent such incidents. Satellite imagery, maritime monitoring data, and sonar technologies play a crucial role in these efforts.
- Hybrid Threats: These incidents are often viewed as part of hybrid warfare strategies, exploiting economic and infrastructural vulnerabilities to achieve geopolitical objectives.
- Unclear Accountability: In some cases, it is challenging to establish a direct link between the incidents and the ships or states involved, complicating investigations.
- Future Risks: Given the increasing reliance on submarine cables for communication and energy transmission, securing this infrastructure remains a critical concern.
It is essential to continue gathering information on suspicious ship movements and potential threats to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the "Shadow Fleet" and its activities.