Russian and Chinese vessels have been involved in suspicious activities near the Nyhamna gas processing facility in Norway, raising concerns over potential espionage. On November 25, the Chinese special cargo ship Ocean 28, traveling from Zhangjiagang, made a sudden U-turn and started criss-crossing waters near Nyhamna, a key gas hub that connects to the UK's Langeled pipeline, one of the world’s longest underwater pipelines.
The Ocean 28, a 154-meter deck cargo ship with no ice-class certification, had been sailing along Russia's Northern Sea Route before its unusual maneuvers near Nyhamna. Originally thought to be heading for a Norwegian port, the vessel was later confirmed to be en route to Russia’s Utrenny LNG hub, subject to international sanctions.
Coinciding with the Ocean 28’s movements, a Russian reefer, Belomorye, also experienced technical issues in the same area. The 50-year-old vessel, owned by the Russian Norebo fishery company, had previously been linked to espionage suspicions, having been denied entry to Dutch ports earlier in 2023. Norwegian authorities assisted the Belomorye, which is now being towed for further repairs.
The strange sailing of the Ocean 28 caught the attention of local ship spotters, noting that similar suspicious activities have occurred in the area, including incidents involving Russian trawlers and LNG carriers. In addition, drone activity has also been reported near Nyhamna, with previous reports of a Russian billionaire's yacht in the vicinity during such incidents.
Attention to unusual shipping activity has increased following recent sabotage actions against underwater infrastructure. A Chinese vessel is currently under investigation by Danish and Swedish authorities for its involvement in the damage to two fiberoptic cables in the Baltic Sea.
Source: Barents Observer
