NEWNEW POLAR BEAR

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Latest news

Captain remanded in custody after pipeline damage

Wan Wenguo, aged 43, the Chinese captain of the 'NewNew Polar Bear' has been remanded in custody by a Hong Kong court over accusations that his vessel caused serious damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and a nearby telecoms cable while passing through the Gulf of Finland on Oct 8, 2023. He appeared in Eastern Court in Hong Kong on May 8, 2025, where he was charged with one count of criminal damage and two charges related to marine safety violations under Hong Kong laws The pipeline damage occurred within Finland’s economic zone, while the telecommunications cable was damaged in Estonia’s waters. The prosecutors in Hong Kong accused Wan of being responsible for the damage caused during the ship’s voyage between October and December 2023. They claimed thatr he failed to ensure the vessel had enough anchors and also failed to submit required daily reports to the ship’s owner.These actions have violated safety provisions under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance, including regulations concerning navigational equipment and vessel maintenance. The court hearing concluded with the captain being remanded in custody, as he did not submit a bail application. The next court session has been scheduled for early July, giving the authorities more time to continue investigations. The case has drawn global attention due to the strategic importance of the damaged infrastructure and ongoing tensions in the Baltic Sea. The Finnish police is believing that the pipeline was damaged by a dragged anchor and later confirmed that the vessel was missing one of its front anchors. The Chinese authorities have conducted their own investigation and concluded that the damage was accidental, caused by a strong storm. The Estonian officials have stated that China’s findings were not legally valid as official evidence in their case. China’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued in May 2024, acknowledged that the 'NewNew Polar Bear' was involved in the incident, but denied that the damage was intentional. They also said that China was willing to cooperate with Estonia. The Estonian prosecutors reported they had not received any response to a formal request for legal assistance from the Chinese authorities. The Prosecutor’s Office in Tallinn stated that they could not yet determine what data China might have collected or how it could influence further legal steps. After the incident, the ship had switched from the Hong Kong flag to the Panamanian flag. ´It s operated by the Hainan Yangpu NewNew Shipping and is insured by the Longon P&I Club. Under Hong Kong law, authorities have the power to prosecute crimes committed on board Hong Kong-registered ships even if the incidents occur in international waters,

China acknowledged that pipeline damage was caused by Newnew Polar Bear

Chinese authorities attributed the pipeline damage caused by the 'Newnew Polar Bear' to an accident during a severe storm. China has, for the first time, acknowledged that the reefer was responsible for damaging the Balticconnector gas pipeline last October. An internal investigation by China has been conducted, with the findings shared with relevant parties. The report produced by Chinese investigators cannot be used as evidence in ongoing investigations by Estonia and Finland. Estonia had not received the report and in no case can be used as evidence in Estonia's criminal investigation, as Chinese authorities had not invited Estonian investigators to participate in the probe. The authorities had submitted a request for legal assistance to collect evidence from the vessel and its crew. To fulfil this request. The Chinese authorities have yet to respond to the request. Regarding Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), there has been cooperation with Chinese authorities, including a request for legal assistance. The investigation is still ongoing, and final conclusions about the incident can only be made once all necessary investigative measures have been completed, which will take some time. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs directed inquiries to the NBI for further information on the case. Finland is continuously cooperating with China and exchanging information.

Chinese ship remains main suspect in damaging Balticconnector pipeline

The 'Newnew Polar Bear' remains the prime suspect in causing damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline between NATO members Finland and Estonia, Finnish investigators said on April 25, 2024. It has been over six months since substantial, human-made damage that caused a major drop in pressure was first detected in the Balticconnector pipeline in Finnish economic waters on Oct. 8. Finland and Estonia's gas system operators were forced to shut it down, disconnecting a crucial link between the Nordic and Baltic gas markets for several months. The pipeline, which runs across the Gulf of Finland between the Finnish town of Inkoo and the Estonian port of Paldiski, was reopened this week after multimillion-euro repair work. The National Bureau of Investigation, a branch of the Finnish police, said that it still believed that an anchor of the 'Newnew Polar Bear', which was en route to St. Petersburg, Russia, was dislodged and caused the damage detected in Balticconnector. The investigation has progressed, and there has been cooperation with the Chinese authorities probing the case. The Finnish investigators haven't said whether they believed the damage allegedly caused by the Chinese vessel was done intentionally or whether it was caused by incompetent seafaring. The Finnish maritime authorities said at the time of the incident they failed to establish radio contact with the captain of the 'Newnew Polar Bear' despite several attempts.