International conference in Helsinki sought practical solutions to protect critical underwater infrastructure

A large group of international experts attended a conference held in Helsinki on 23 April 2025 focusing on the protection of critical underwater infrastructure and the threats posed to it by international maritime transport. Co-operation between different authorities is needed to address these wide-ranging threats.

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs organised the conference in cooperation with the Finnish Border Guard, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Malta-based Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring.

Participants were representatives of the authorities and maritime experts from the coastal states around the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Mediterranean and from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, EU institutions and NATO. Researchers and representatives of the private sector were also present.

 “Recent damage to submarine cables on the Baltic Sea clearly indicates the vulnerability of critical underwater infrastructure. Vessels operating on the Baltic Sea may pose a variety of threats to both underwater infrastructure and national security in general. These threats do not only affect us but present a wider challenge. We need international cooperation between different authorities to find ways to counter these threats. The role of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is to promote this cooperation,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

Damage to critical underwater infrastructure and the operation of substandard vessels are part of a broader threat against Finland and the Baltic Sea region. As the maritime security authority and the territorial surveillance authority of Finland’s exclusive economic zone, the Finnish Border Guard is committed to finding solutions to the challenge in cooperation with other authorities and international partners.

In addition, a separate meeting on the shadow fleet was held on 24 April, bringing together experts to discuss issues related to substandard vessels, their impacts, and further measures.

Maritime safety is based on international rules, and flag states are responsible for ensuring that their ships comply with these rules. The aim is to prevent damage to humans, the environment and property.

“The unclear flag state status, inadequate insurance and poor condition of the shadow fleet vessels operating on the Gulf of Finland pose a serious risk to safety. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom will strengthen its efforts to detect non-compliance of shadow fleet vessels with international standards. Close international cooperation is also necessary to take effective countermeasures,” says Traficom’s Director of Maritime Transport Sanna Sonninen.

Work will continue both in a working group of experts from the coastal states around the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and in the EU and NATO. Canada is launching a Shadow Fleet Task Force consisting of G7 and Nordic-Baltic 8 countries.