United Kingdom aims to protect underwater infrastructure with specialist ships after Nord Stream explosions

Health & SafetyBehind the WheelTrade & Border IssuesHot Spots
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

Three of the four Nord Stream pipes under the Baltic Sea mysteriously exploded last week. While Russia is blaming the West, Europe is speculating that the explosions were an act of sabotage. Great Britain’s defense minister Ben Wallace spoke at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, central England, and states that the act could be a direct threat to the British economy by the Russian government.

He announced that the country was taking precautions after the Nord Stream gas pipeline destruction in the form of “two specialist ships with the capability to keep our cables and pipelines safe.” These ships are described as being built for seabed warfare.

Read more from G Captain ▶

you also might like...
Chinese Hacking Targets European Cargo Shipping
Chinese Hacking Targets European Cargo Shipping

A top cybersecurity firm, ESET, has uncovered Chinese hacking attempts in the European cargo shipping industry, marking the latest instance of China-aligned groups infiltrating Western economic infrastructure.

U.S. Moves to Ban Russian Uranium Imports
U.S. Moves to Ban Russian Uranium Imports

In a bid to further pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a bill to prohibit Russian uranium imports.

China and Russia Strengthen Supply Chain Ties Amid U.S. Warnings
China and Russia Strengthen Supply Chain Ties Amid U.S. Warnings

China and Russia recently committed to maintaining stability in their industrial supply chains.

EU's Deforestation Crackdown is Underway
EU's Deforestation Crackdown is Underway

Deforestation is a major global problem, with agriculture responsible for a whopping 90% of it.

EU's Corporate Accountability Directive Stalled by Member States Amidst Opposition
EU's Corporate Accountability Directive Stalled by Member States Amidst Opposition

European Union countries hit a roadblock on Wednesday as they halted the progress of new regulations aimed at making large companies accountable for potential forced labor and environmental harm in their supply chains.

Investor Groups Advocate for EU's Corporate Sustainability Directive Amidst Opposition
Investor Groups Advocate for EU's Corporate Sustainability Directive Amidst Opposition

Investor groups are urging EU countries to support a proposed law, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which would hold large companies accountable for environmental and human rights violations in their supply chains.

Russia's Ambitious LNG Expansion Plans Hindered by Sanctions and Tanker Shortage
Russia's Ambitious LNG Expansion Plans Hindered by Sanctions and Tanker Shortage

Russia is aiming to increase its share of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market to 20% by 2030, but its plans face challenges due to sanctions and a shortage of ice-class LNG tankers.

Russia Accused of Orchestrating Migrant Surge at EU's Eastern Frontier, Prompting Border Closure Threats
Russia Accused of Orchestrating Migrant Surge at EU's Eastern Frontier, Prompting Border Closure Threats

Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, has accused Moscow of orchestrating a "blatant hybrid attack" by facilitating a surge in migrants from Africa and the Middle East arriving at the EU's eastern frontier.

Finnish President Cites Deportation Challenges as Border Tensions with Russia Escalate
Finnish President Cites Deportation Challenges as Border Tensions with Russia Escalate

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has stated that it has become "impossible" to deport asylum seekers who do not meet the criteria for protection.

France, Germany, and Italy Challenge EU's Draft AI Legislation, Threatening Regulatory Deadlock
France, Germany, and Italy Challenge EU's Draft AI Legislation, Threatening Regulatory Deadlock

France, Germany, and Italy have opposed the EU's draft AI legislation, particularly regulations concerning "foundation models" that underpin large AI language models.

Fossil Fuel Giants on Track to Double Production, Exceed Climate Thresholds, UN-Backed Report Warns
Fossil Fuel Giants on Track to Double Production, Exceed Climate Thresholds, UN-Backed Report Warns

A United Nations-backed report reveals that major fossil fuel-producing countries, including the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, are on course to produce twice the amount of fossil fuels that exceed critical global warming thresholds by the end of this decade.

27 Countries, Including US and China, Sign Bletchley Park Declaration on AI for Responsible Development
27 Countries, Including US and China, Sign Bletchley Park Declaration on AI for Responsible Development

The United States and China, along with 27 other countries and the EU, have signed the Bletchley Park Declaration on AI during a two-day AI Safety Summit held in the UK.

Ukraine Unveils ATACMS Missiles Shipped From America
Ukraine Unveils ATACMS Missiles Shipped From America

After months of secrecy surrounding President Biden's decision to provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, it has been revealed that the missiles are now in Ukrainian possession and have been used in attacks on Russian military facilities.

Germany Allows France to Subsidize Nuclear Plants
Germany Allows France to Subsidize Nuclear Plants

Germany has allowed France to use state subsidies for its nuclear power plants, breaking a deadlock in EU electricity market reform discussions.

Belgian Intelligence Probes Logistics Hub of China's Alibaba at Local Airport
Belgian Intelligence Probes Logistics Hub of China's Alibaba at Local Airport

Belgium is investigating potential security risks related to China's Alibaba Group's presence at Liège Airport, where its main European logistics center is located.

Russia Accuses Western Allies of Orchestrating Missile Strike on Crimea's Black Sea Fleet HQ amid Escalating Tensions
Russia Accuses Western Allies of Orchestrating Missile Strike on Crimea's Black Sea Fleet HQ amid Escalating Tensions

Russia has accused Ukraine's Western allies of planning and conducting a missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Crimea, alleging that the attack was coordinated with the assistance of American and British security agencies, NATO satellites, and reconnaissance planes.

EU Electric Car Regulations Pose Billions in Costs for Carmakers
EU Electric Car Regulations Pose Billions in Costs for Carmakers

New Brexit trade rules related to electric vehicles could impose a significant financial burden on European auto manufacturers, potentially costing them £3.75 billion ($4.58 billion) over the next three years, as reported by BBC News.

Russia Continues to Depend on Europe for Oil Shipping
Russia Continues to Depend on Europe for Oil Shipping

Russia continues to depend on European shipping to transport its oil, even as its supplies exceed the price caps set by the Group of Seven (G-7) and its allies, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) based in Helsinki.

’Dark' Ships Deceive Locations to Move Billions in Oil Globally
’Dark' Ships Deceive Locations to Move Billions in Oil Globally

A growing number of ships are manipulating their reported locations for illicit activities, potentially involving goods worth billions of dollars.

Rising Oil Prices Push Up Gas Costs for US Drivers, Aiding Russia's War Effort
Rising Oil Prices Push Up Gas Costs for US Drivers, Aiding Russia's War Effort

Rising oil prices are impacting consumers, complicating the global fight against inflation, and contributing to Russia's war chest.

Aluminum Oxide Shortage Spurs Russia's Supply Chain Diversification Efforts
Aluminum Oxide Shortage Spurs Russia's Supply Chain Diversification Efforts

Facing an aluminum oxide shortage exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, Russia has been diversifying its supply chain for this critical raw material.

Europe's Alarming Air Pollution Crisis: 98% Exposed to Dangerous Levels
Europe's Alarming Air Pollution Crisis: 98% Exposed to Dangerous Levels

Europe is grappling with a severe public health crisis as nearly everyone on the continent resides in areas plagued by dangerous air pollution levels, according to an investigation by The Guardian.

Europe Sets Course for Stringent Emissions Legislation Impacting Shipping Industry
Europe Sets Course for Stringent Emissions Legislation Impacting Shipping Industry

Ships transporting goods in and out of the European Union will soon face significant emissions-related costs as they join the bloc's Emissions Trading System (ETS) starting in January 2024.

Brookings Institute Raises Concerns Over US Military's Logistics Gap Compared to China
Brookings Institute Raises Concerns Over US Military's Logistics Gap Compared to China

The Brookings Institute recently released a report titled "America can't afford to ignore the logistics triad," which highlights the critical role of logistics in military operations, particularly against formidable adversaries like China and Russia.

Russia Targets Ukrainian Grain Warehouses in Drone Attack, Prompting Fears of Escalating Conflict
Russia Targets Ukrainian Grain Warehouses in Drone Attack, Prompting Fears of Escalating Conflict

A drone attack conducted by Russia targeted more than 700 grain warehouses on the Danube River in Ukraine, damaging crucial infrastructure for Kyiv's grain export route.

Russia's Exit from Grain Deal with Ukraine Could Escalate Global Food Crisis and Food Insecurity
Russia's Exit from Grain Deal with Ukraine Could Escalate Global Food Crisis and Food Insecurity

Russia's decision to withdraw from a grain export deal with Ukraine has escalated concerns about global food supplies and prices.

Wheat Prices Surge as Russia Attacks Ukraine's Grain Supplies
Wheat Prices Surge as Russia Attacks Ukraine's Grain Supplies

Wheat prices experienced a significant increase following Russia's actions targeting Ukraine's grain export infrastructure.

U.S. and EU Collaborate to Reduce Asia's Dominance in the Global Semiconductor Market
U.S. and EU Collaborate to Reduce Asia's Dominance in the Global Semiconductor Market

The U.S. and EU are taking steps to lessen Asia's stronghold on the global semiconductor market. With the shift of semiconductor manufacturing operations to major Asian countries, the U.S. and Europe have faced challenges in maintaining competitiveness.

The Expiration of the Black Sea Grain Deal
The Expiration of the Black Sea Grain Deal

The expiration of the Black Sea grain deal, which allowed Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea, is a significant development with implications for global food prices and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

Remember the Freedom Convoy? What happened to that?
Next

Ocean carriers are still swimming in bathtubs of money