Chinese Ship Captain Wan Wenguo Pleads Not Guilty in Hong Kong Court Over Baltic Sea Infrastructure Damage
Finnish investigators determined the ship’s anchor caused the extensive seabed damage, disrupting gas supplies and communications for months.
BALTIC SEA — Captain Wan Wenguo, 44, of the Hong Kong-flagged container ship NewNew Polar Bear, entered a not guilty plea on February 11 to one count of criminal damage related to the October 8, 2023, rupture of the Baltic-connector gas pipeline and two submarine telecommunications cables between Finland and Estonia.
He also denied two charges of failing to comply with international maritime safety conventions under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance.
Finnish investigators determined the ship’s anchor caused the extensive seabed damage, disrupting gas supplies and communications for months.
This case, transferred to Hong Kong’s District Court, involves 18 witnesses and follows mutual legal assistance between Finnish, Estonian, and Chinese authorities. Regional tensions persist amid similar incidents since 2022, prompting NATO’s increased patrols.
