Another Russian spy ship in the North Sea

The ship sailed without AIS (Automatic Identification System), a mandatory security system that automatically makes the identity of ships known to others. Based on suspicious sailing behavior of the ship, an investigation was initiated by the Maritime Information Crossroads. The passage of this ship is undoubtedly part of the wider context of the Ukraine war.

Mapping sensitive infrastructure

Yesterday, the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service MIVD reported on this incident. It was suggested that the ship may have been intended to map sensitive infrastructure, such as wind farms, submarine gas pipelines and cables for communication and data traffic. Our intelligence and security services are also taking this scenario into account and are alert to it.

Belgium manages important infrastructure resources for energy supply off the coast. Since the start of the war in Ukraine exactly one year ago, attention to possible risks has increased sharply. This is done in consultation with Belgian authorities responsible for economic, military and security interests in the North Sea and the private companies that operate this infrastructure. This is coordinated by the Maritime Information Crossroads (MIK), which is staffed by the Directorate-General for Shipping of the FPS Mobility and Transport, the shipping police, customs and defence. To this end, they work together with intelligence and security services such as State Security, OCAD and ADIV.

Vincent Van Quickenborne, Minister of the North Sea: “The presence of Russian ships in the North Sea is not prohibited, but we monitor it closely. We do not know the exact motives of this Russian ship, but we should not be naive. Especially if they behave suspiciously near our wind farms, submarine gas pipelines and data cables and other critical infrastructure. We also take the necessary measures to make it more secure. For example, last year we already allocated a budget for new state-of-the-art software to better detect and monitor suspicious activities in our North Sea. The new Maritime Security Act has been in force since 1 January. This makes it possible, among other things, to provide camera surveillance at sea, in particular on the windmills to which this suspicious ship seemed to pay special attention. In addition, we also demand stricter security plans from the operators of all infrastructure in the North Sea. Based on this, we take the necessary measures. We are also coordinating with other North Sea countries to exchange more information and to be able to intervene together.