Hong Kong’s courts are gearing up for a pivotal legal hearing in the case against a Chinese vessel captain accused of inflicting significant harm to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The judge has agreed to call 10 witnesses to testify about alleged “criminal damage” to a subsea natural gas pipeline and telecommunications cables.
Key Witnesses to Testify in Cable Damage Case
Ten witnesses, including maritime experts, crew members and Hong Kong officials, will be called to testify in the case involving Wan Wenguo, the 43-year-old captain of the Hong Kong-registered container ship NewNew Polar Bear. Court proceedings are adjourned until Feb. 11, 2026, as defense lawyers review extensive documents before entering a plea.
Prosecutors allege that on Oct. 8, 2023, the vessel dragged its anchor along the seabed between Finland and Estonia, damaging the Balticconnector natural gas pipeline and nearby submarine telecom cables.
Charges and International Implications
Wan faces criminal damage charges for allegedly acting “recklessly” and without lawful excuse in damaging critical infrastructure, a charge that carries a maximum two-year sentence.
Additional allegations involve breaches of maritime safety regulations, including the loss of an anchor and failure to report daily to the vessel’s operating company. Witnesses for these regulatory issues are also expected to be called later.
Although the infractions occurred outside Hong Kong waters, the ship’s Hong Kong registration places it under the city’s legal authority. Prosecutors have worked with Finnish and Estonian authorities in building their case.
