The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau has launched a preliminary assessment regarding a maritime incident that occurred on January 26, 2025, involving damage to the Ventspils - Gotland optical cable in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Kingdom of Sweden.
The Ventspils - Gotland optical cable is the property of the State Joint Stock Company “Latvian State Radio and Television Centre”. In accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 561 of 12 July 2011, “Procedure for Investigating Marine Accidents and Incidents”, the Republic of Latvia qualifies as a substantially interested state in this maritime accident, as the damage was inflicted upon assets owned by the Latvian state. Given the cable’s strategic importance for communications among European Union member states, its damage has also caused significant harm to the national interests of the Republic of Latvia.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the investigation of a maritime accident is to be conducted by the flag state of the vessel involved, which may delegate the investigation to another interested state.
In this context, the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, acting within its mandated authority, is awaiting delegation from the relevant flag states (Malta/Norway/Barbados) or other concerned maritime administrations to carry out the investigation of this maritime incident.