Estonia considers shipping tax for Baltic Sea potection
Estonia is considering introducing a fee for shipping companies using the Baltic Sea. The funds from this tax would be used to cover the rising costs of protecting underwater cables, which have recently become targets of damage and suspected acts of sabotage.
In brief
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announced work on a fee for ships passing through the Baltic Sea, modelled on airport charges, which would finance the protection of undersea cables. Hanno Pevkur told the Reuters news agency that the fee could apply when passing through the Danish straits and would act as insurance in case of cable damage. Up to 4,000 ships cross the Baltic Sea every day, and at least four serious cable damage incidents were recorded over the past year.
NATO strengthens patrols in the Baltic Sea
After a series of incidents in which ships damaged power and communication cables, NATO has decided to increase its presence in the Baltic Sea. As part of the alliance's efforts, frigates, patrol aircraft, and drones have been deployed to monitor the situation and prevent further violations of critical infrastructure.
However, patrolling alone is not a sufficient solution. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced that work is underway on other methods to secure cables, such as installing sensors to detect anchor drags along the seabed or constructing protective covers.
Who will pay for infrastructure protection?
The cost of protecting underwater cables will be significant, and according to Minister Pevkur, it remains unclear who should bear it. One option is to pass the costs onto consumers through higher taxes or increased prices for telecommunications and energy services.
Another alternative is introducing a special fee for ships passing through the Baltic Sea—similar to airport charges imposed on airlines. Minister Pevkur compared this idea to mandatory fees at airports, which are included in ticket prices.
- At some point, we may see that companies passing through the Danish straits will have to pay a fee, as it would essentially serve as insurance against cable damage, the Estonian minister said in an interview with Reuters.
The Baltic Sea – a critical hub for european infrastructure
The Baltic Sea is one of the world's busiest waterways, with up to 4,000 ships passing through it daily. Many key telecommunications cables, power lines, and gas pipelines run beneath its seabed, making them vulnerable to both accidental and deliberate damage.
According to the International Cable Protection Committee, around 150 subsea cable damages occur globally each year. However, the situation in the Baltic region is particularly concerning. Over the past year, at least four major incidents have been recorded, including damage to cables between Estonia and Finland, as well as between Latvia and Sweden.
On Monday, Swedish authorities detained a Malta-flagged ship in connection with the damage to a cable linking Latvia and Sweden.
Source: Reuters / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Bartosz Piątek
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