NEWNEW POLAR BEAR

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China acknowledged that pipeline damage was caused by Newnew Polar Bear

Chinese authorities attributed the pipeline damage caused by the 'Newnew Polar Bear' to an accident during a severe storm. China has, for the first time, acknowledged that the reefer was responsible for damaging the Balticconnector gas pipeline last October. An internal investigation by China has been conducted, with the findings shared with relevant parties. The report produced by Chinese investigators cannot be used as evidence in ongoing investigations by Estonia and Finland. Estonia had not received the report and in no case can be used as evidence in Estonia's criminal investigation, as Chinese authorities had not invited Estonian investigators to participate in the probe. The authorities had submitted a request for legal assistance to collect evidence from the vessel and its crew. To fulfil this request. The Chinese authorities have yet to respond to the request. Regarding Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), there has been cooperation with Chinese authorities, including a request for legal assistance. The investigation is still ongoing, and final conclusions about the incident can only be made once all necessary investigative measures have been completed, which will take some time. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs directed inquiries to the NBI for further information on the case. Finland is continuously cooperating with China and exchanging information.

Chinese ship remains main suspect in damaging Balticconnector pipeline

The 'Newnew Polar Bear' remains the prime suspect in causing damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline between NATO members Finland and Estonia, Finnish investigators said on April 25, 2024. It has been over six months since substantial, human-made damage that caused a major drop in pressure was first detected in the Balticconnector pipeline in Finnish economic waters on Oct. 8. Finland and Estonia's gas system operators were forced to shut it down, disconnecting a crucial link between the Nordic and Baltic gas markets for several months. The pipeline, which runs across the Gulf of Finland between the Finnish town of Inkoo and the Estonian port of Paldiski, was reopened this week after multimillion-euro repair work. The National Bureau of Investigation, a branch of the Finnish police, said that it still believed that an anchor of the 'Newnew Polar Bear', which was en route to St. Petersburg, Russia, was dislodged and caused the damage detected in Balticconnector. The investigation has progressed, and there has been cooperation with the Chinese authorities probing the case. The Finnish investigators haven't said whether they believed the damage allegedly caused by the Chinese vessel was done intentionally or whether it was caused by incompetent seafaring. The Finnish maritime authorities said at the time of the incident they failed to establish radio contact with the captain of the 'Newnew Polar Bear' despite several attempts.

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BARMBEK, EILBEK, REINBEK, FLOTTBEK SOLD ENBLOC FOR ABT US $39 MIL TO GERMAN BUYERS (PREVIOUS DEAL DID NOT MATERIALISE)