Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 anchored in Kattegat amid sabotage suspicions in Baltic Sea

The Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 is currently anchored in the Kattegat region amidst suspicions of sabotage related to cable systems in the Baltic Sea. A Danish military ship is accompanying it, monitoring its activities. However, Danish authorities face challenges in boarding the vessel due to its position on the maritime border that dictates their legal actions, as it is situated near the boundary between Danish territorial waters and the economic zone.

Although tracking services indicate that the Yi Peng 3 is located just outside Danish territorial waters and within the economic zone, the exact positioning is critical for Danish authorities. Professors specializing in maritime law explain that if the ship falls within the 12 nautical miles of Danish territorial waters, it would be fully under Danish jurisdiction. Conversely, if it is within the economic zone, Denmark has rights to natural resources and environmental protection but limited powers regarding law enforcement.

The situation is particularly complicated because suspicions of sabotage have arisen from incidents occurring in Swedish waters. Therefore, even if the Danish authorities might assess they have jurisdiction, they would need permission from China, the flag state of the vessel, to board it. In cases where the ship is suspected of unlawful acts beyond Denmark’s borders, authorities must first gather all relevant facts before considering any action.

If an incident has occurred in Sweden, it adds another layer of legal complexity, as the Danish authorities would want to proceed cautiously, potentially engaging with both Chinese and Swedish representatives to clarify the legal framework and necessary permissions for intervention.