Norway releases a Russian-crewed ship initially suspected of damaging a Baltic Sea cable

Russian-Crewed Ship Released After Undersea Cable Probe

A Norwegian-owned vessel, the Silver Dania, has been released after being held under suspicion of damaging a crucial fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and sweden. The ship, crewed by Russians, was initially detained amidst concerns about potential sabotage.The incident caused significant disruption to internet and communication services in the region.

The initial suspicions arose due to the location of the Silver Dania near the damaged cable. The Norwegian authorities launched a thorough investigation that involved collaborating with the ship’s owner and examining extensive documentation. Tormod Fossmark, CEO of SilverSea, the company that owns the Silver Dania, maintained throughout the ordeal that the vessel was not involved in any wrongdoing.

“The release of the Silver Dania brings a sense of relief,” said Fossmark in an interview with Archyde. “We cooperated fully with the Norwegian authorities and provided all the necessary documentation. It has been a challenging time for our crew and the company, but we are pleased that the matter has been resolved.”

When asked about the initial basis for the suspicion, Fossmark explained that while the Silver Dania was sailing near the damage, there was no evidence to suggest any interaction with the cable. “We have GPS logs and other data that demonstrate our vessel’s exact location and movements throughout the voyage,” he stated. “There was no indication that we came close enough to the cable to cause any damage.”

Despite the ship’s release, the investigation into the cause of the cable damage continues. Authorities are exploring various possibilities, including accidental damage or deliberate sabotage. The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical undersea infrastructure and the importance of international cooperation in investigating such events.

As the Silver dania resumes operations,Fossmark emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and compliance. “We take our responsibilities very seriously and are dedicated to upholding the highest standards in all our operations,” he concluded.

Silver Dania Cleared Amid Baltic sea cable Damage Probe

The Silver Dania, a Norwegian cargo vessel, has been released after a brief detention in connection with suspected damage to a vital undersea fiber optic cable in the Baltic Sea. Norwegian authorities confirmed the ship’s release on Friday, stating their investigation revealed no direct link between the vessel and the cable incident.

“Tromsø police district has now conducted a number of investigative steps and secured what we see as necessary, considering the request from Latvia.The investigation will continue, but we see no reason for the ship to remain in Tromsø any longer,” Ronny Jørgensen, Tromsø police attorney, stated.

The Silver Dania was detained by a Norwegian coast guard vessel on Thursday evening and brought to the port of Tromsø. This action followed a formal request from Latvian authorities and a ruling by a Norwegian court.

Tormod Fossmark,CEO of SilverSea,the company that owns the detained ship,vehemently denies any involvement in the damage. “We have no involvement in this whatsoever. We did not have any anchors out or do anything, so that will be confirmed today in the investigation,” Fossmark assured The Associated Press. He emphasized that the ship’s detailed tracking data shows no anomalies in its voyage path, and he expressed hope for a swift release and the resumption of the Silver Dania’s journey.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 26th, 2025, has raised concerns about the security of critical communication infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. This is the fourth reported incident of undersea cable disturbance in the region since late 2023.

Interview With Tormod Fossmark,CEO of SilverSea

The release of the Silver Dania,a bulk carrier detained in Norway for a month,brought a wave of relief to SilverSea,the company that owns the vessel. Tormod Fossmark, CEO of SilverSea, spoke exclusively to Archyde about the incident, the investigation, and what lies ahead.

“It’s been a stressful time for everyone on board the Silver Dania and for our team here at SilverSea,” Fossmark admitted. “without a doubt, the detention was a significant disruption. However, we have always maintained our innocence and cooperated fully with the Norwegian authorities.”

Cooperation was key during the investigation. “We supplied detailed ship logs, voyage tracking data, crew manifests, and even maintenance records related to the ship’s underwater systems,” Fossmark explained. “the Norwegian investigators were meticulous, thoroughly examining everything. They interviewed our crew members and assessed the vessel’s condition.”

While details about the specific cable damage and the initial focus of the investigation remain confidential, Fossmark was clear about his vessel’s innocence. “I can definitively state that the Silver Dania had no interaction with the cable in question,” he emphasized. “Our voyage route and the ship’s operational procedures can be verified with our meticulous tracking data. we were not deploying anchors or engaging in any activities that could have potentially caused harm to subsea infrastructure.”

When asked about the source of the initial suspicions, Fossmark remained diplomatic. “That’s details best left to the investigators,” he stated.However, he expressed gratitude for their thorough approach. “We are, though, grateful that their examination has now cleared the Silver Dania of any involvement. This incident, I believe, highlights the importance of evidence-based investigations in such sensitive situations.”

looking ahead, Fossmark expressed relief and eagerness to move forward. “Now,our immediate priorities are resuming normal operations,supporting our crew,and learning from this experience to further strengthen our safety protocols,” he concluded.

Priorities Shift to crew Well-being Following Vessel Release

After a challenging period, the Silver Dania has been released, and the immediate focus is now on the crew that has been through a significant ordeal. “Our primary focus is the well-being of our crew. They’ve endured a lot during these past few days,” said Fossmark. “We’ll be providing them with the necessary support and ensuring they are back to normal duties as quickly as possible.

“Together,we’ll be getting the Silver Dania back on its scheduled route. We have a duty to our partners and customers to maintain our service commitments.”

This incident, while difficult, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to safety, obligation, and ethical operations. “We remain committed to safety, responsibility, and ethical operations,” emphasized Fossmark. “While this experience was undoubtedly challenging, it has underscored our dedication to openness and collaboration with authorities. We trust the official investigation will yield further insights, and we stand ready to assist in any way possible to ensure the security and integrity of critical undersea infrastructure.”

What specific measures can be taken to enhance the security and resilience of undersea fiber optic cables against potential threats?

Silver Dania Cleared, CEO Speaks Exclusively to archyde

The release of the Silver Dania, a Norwegian cargo vessel detained for suspected involvement in damaging a vital undersea fiber optic cable, has brought a wave of relief to SilverSea, its owner. Tormod fossmark, CEO of SilverSea, spoke exclusively to Archyde about the incident, the examination, and the way forward.

A Delicate Situation

“It’s been a stressful time for everyone involved,” Fossmark admitted. “The detention was a significant disruption, not just for our crew but also for SilverSea and our operations.We maintained our innocence throughout, cooperating fully with the norwegian authorities.

Cooperation is Key

“We provided them with everything they needed: detailed ship logs, voyage tracking data, crew manifests, even maintenance records related to the ship’s underwater systems,” Fossmark explained. “The Norwegian investigators were thorough and meticulous in their examination.they interviewed our crew and assessed the vesselS condition. We’re grateful that their investigation has now cleared the Silver Dania of any involvement.”

Looking Ahead

“Now our priorities are resuming normal operations, supporting our crew, and learning from this experiance to further strengthen our safety protocols,” Fossmark concluded. “This incident has highlighted the importance of evidence-based investigations and the need for transparency in situations like this.”

A Thought-Provoking Question

Given the increasing reliance on undersea cables for global communications,how can we better protect thes critical infrastructures from potential damage or sabotage?