Since the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, the threat to underwater infrastructure has become clear. Six states bordering the North Sea have now agreed on a protection agreement.
Six states bordering the North Sea have agreed on a cooperation agreement to protect underwater infrastructure. Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands signed a joint declaration to this effect. The aim is to enable a better exchange of information in order, among other things, to ward off possible Russian attacks.
Since the Nord Stream gas pipelines 1 and 2 explosions in the Baltic Sea, the threat to undersea cables and pipelines has come to the fore and become a security focus for Western European countries.
Critical Energy infrastructure protect
The two pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 each consist of two parallel strands and run on the seabed of the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. On September 26, 2022, there were several explosions on the pipelines over several hours.
Both strands of Nord Stream 1 and one of the two strands of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is not yet in operation, were destroyed. There is no doubt that these explosions were intentional and intended to destroy the pipelines. Russia and the West then blamed each other.
The Gaza war has also further increased global security risks. “The North Sea is the powerhouse driving Europe’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas neutrality ambitions and helping to strengthen energy security on the continent,” said Andrew Bowie, UK Minister for Nuclear Power and Renewable Energy. It is therefore crucial to protect the critical energy infrastructure of the North Sea now and in the future.