GMM Safety | 2025-01-20 | Case Incidents |
Taiwan has announced stronger measures to monitor after a suspected Chinese cargo ship damaged an ships flying flags of convenience under sea communications cable.
Recent incidents of damage to the undersea cables could be linked to sabotage of critical infrastructure.
In response to these incidents, the National Security Bureau (NSB) reported to lawmakers on January 15 that the Coast Guard will inspect ships registered under flags of convenience if they enter within 24 nautical miles of Taiwan’s coastline, especially near undersea cable locations.
The bureau says that the vessels that misreport their details will be prioritised for inspection, and the Coast Guard will board ships found in suspicious circumstances.
The Chinese vessel Shunxing 39 was accused of damaging a cable in northern Taiwan on January 3, 2025. Registered in Cameroon and Tanzania, the ship is owned by a Hong Kong-based company, with all seven crew members identified as Chinese nationals.
While Taiwan’s coast guard could not board the ship due to bad weather, they suspect the vessel engaged in “grey zone harassment,” a tactic often attributed to China.
The Taiwanese Coast Guard plans to closely monitor areas where cables and landing points onshore are located. Officials will drive away vessels suspected of illegal activities and collect evidence for investigation.
The NSB will enhance international collaboration with the U.S. and European nations to counter threats to undersea cables.
Officials say that Taiwan will exchange intelligence, analyze sabotage techniques, and share preventive measures with like-minded countries.
Taiwan’s navy will deploy radar and electronic intelligence systems to track vessels showing unusual behaviour, like stopping abruptly, changing speeds, or taking suspicious routes.
The Navy will alert the Coast Guard about these vessels and help in operations if needed.
Colonel Lee Chang-fu from the Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the Navy and Coast Guard will work in tandem to deter sabotage.
Taiwan’s government also plans to brief parliament on its plan to protect undersea cables and make inspections of the flag of convenience ships docking at Taiwanese ports a top priority.
In February 2023, two undersea cables connecting Taiwan’s Matsu Islands to the mainland were severed by passing Chinese vessels. Residents were left without internet for weeks.
Experts believe the Shunxing 39 incident in Taiwan is similar to the severing of cables in the Baltic Sea in November 2024 by a Chinese bulk carrier.
Marine tracking data showed the ship performing unusual “figure-eight” patterns, by dragging its anchor to damage the cable.
Professor Geoffrey Till, a maritime expert, believes these activities could be a way for Beijing to prepare for conflict in the region. He says that damaging undersea cables could test Taiwan’s resilience and disrupt global communications.
Inspired by Ukraine’s use of satellite internet during the conflict, Taiwan has deployed 700 satellite receivers across the island to ensure backup connectivity.
The government is also investing NT$4 billion to develop indigenous satellites, with launches planned for 2026.
However, experts caution that satellite networks cannot fully replace undersea cables, which offer faster speeds and higher bandwidth.
Dr Su Tzu Yun, a defence expert, discussed the importance of more investments to protect these critical systems, warning that cable sabotage could severely impact Taiwan’s digital economy, banking and trade.
Despite China’s denial of involvement, Taiwan remains alert, seeing a rise in “grey zone warfare” tactics, including balloon overflights, drone incursions, and sand dredging.
Officials have described Chinese ships flying flags of convenience as having “the mark of evil,”
Reference: Reuters
