Suspected spy vessel arrives in Vaasa under close watch

By admin On Aug 28, 2025

The cargo ship Hav Dolphin, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and suspected of serving as a support vessel for Russian surveillance drones, en route to the Port of Vaasa on 28 August 2025. Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva

The cargo ship HAV Dolphin, once suspected of supporting Russian drone surveillance, docked in the Finnish port city of Vaasa on Thursday under tight monitoring from national authorities.

The vessel arrived around 14:00 local time, carrying a 2,600-tonne steel cargo from Antwerp to a Finnish client. The ship, flagged under Antigua and Barbuda and crewed by Russians, became the focus of Finnish and international security services following earlier suspicions raised by German and Dutch authorities.

In spring 2025, the ship’s slow movement and anchoring near military zones triggered concerns in Germany and the Netherlands. Both countries launched inspections over fears the vessel could be linked to the operation of Russian reconnaissance drones. No evidence of spying or sabotage was found.

Despite the lack of proof, Finnish authorities including the Finnish Border Guard, Supo (Finnish Security and Intelligence Service), and Finnish Customs continued to monitor the vessel’s movements. The West Finland Coast Guard used radar, AIS tracking systems, and a surveillance flight to follow the ship as it approached Vaasa.

Upon arrival, several customs and border guard vehicles were seen at the port. Local media reported a higher-than-usual presence of official personnel. According to port operator Kvarken Ports, no additional inspections were planned by the port authority itself. However, the Finnish Border Guard and Customs retained the option to carry out checks based on ongoing risk analysis.

A spokesperson from Customs declined to confirm whether an inspection would be conducted but stated that such decisions depend on intelligence and maritime traffic risk assessments.

Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, responsible for maritime safety, confirmed it had no plans to inspect the vessel based on current information. Head of maritime oversight Thomas Lundström said inspections are carried out if there are safety issues onboard, such as missing equipment or malfunctioning systems. He added that HAV Dolphin passed its most recent international safety inspection in 2024.

The steel on board was ordered by Finnish businessman Esko Leppinen, who told Helsingin Sanomat he had no knowledge of or interest in any alleged intelligence operations. “I ordered steel, not drones,” he said.

The vessel is expected to continue its journey on Friday and will not load any cargo in Vaasa.

Speaking to STT, HAV Shipping CEO Nico Fürst rejected the spying claims, describing them as a misunderstanding that had already been clarified. “The vessel’s Russian crew is standard, and the speculation has no basis,” he said.

Nonetheless, the ship’s arrival drew significant public attention. Dozens of locals gathered at Vaskiluoto’s shoreline to observe the vessel enter the port. Some filmed the event on mobile phones, while others followed its movements with binoculars.

“It’s like a mystery ship,” said a local resident, Kristiina. “We’ve followed it in the news, and now it’s here.”

According to Jarno Limnell, MP and cybersecurity expert, the Baltic Sea has become a zone for hybrid operations. In a statement on X, Limnell described the region as a “laboratory” for Russian influence through sabotage, GPS disruption, and maritime pressure tactics. He noted that NATO and the EU have strengthened surveillance in response.

Although no violations have been confirmed regarding HAV Dolphin, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service has told Helsingin Sanomat that they are aware of the vessel’s movements. The President of Finland Alexander Stubb also confirmed that the situation is being monitored at the highest levels.

The HAV Dolphin case remains unresolved in the public mind, reflecting broader concerns over maritime security and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi