Belgian and Dutch Naval Agencies Warn of Suspected Spy Ships in North Sea

According to the Belgian Maritime Security Unit (CMB), several non-military vessels that may be involved in espionage have been seen in the North Sea in the past six months. The government agency reports this to the Belgian public VRT broadcaster. There is also suspicion in the Netherlands.

A spokesman for CMB says that “at least five merchant ships or fishing vessels have passed, and we suspect that more are on the way.” The spokesman did not reveal which countries would be involved. including this.

According to CMB, it is difficult to determine whether a ship actually has a dual role. This is partly because many military ships are no longer used for espionage. “For example, they are merchant ships or at least they appear to be merchant ships. They could also be fishing ships. That makes detection much more difficult. “

“But then we see that they suddenly start sailing a little slower,” the spokesman told the Belgian broadcaster.

There is also speculation in the Netherlands about spy ships off the coast and in the ports, reports the research programme. Pointer. For example, the Russian fishing company Norebo sails into Groningen’s Eemshaven every two weeks with frozen kibbeling and tasty food. But it is just that company that has been seen several times near nuclear submarines in America, for no valid reason.

The ships from Norebo on the Dutch moors near a military area: Defense has a permanent place there. Important infrastructure points are also nearby, including gas pipelines and wind farms. Pointer He asked Norebo for a response, but he did not want to comment on the allegations.

The Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) concluded in its 2023 annual report that the threat of espionage by Russia was “persistent”. “The Netherlands remains an important espionage target, as our country provided a lot of aid to Ukraine.” The intelligence service also reports that the Netherlands is of interest due to the transfer of military equipment. Last February a Russian vessel in the North Sea that tried to gather information about wind farms.

although Pointer does not mention any hard evidence about Norebo, Patrick Bolder of the Hague think tank The Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS) tells the program that it is “incomprehensible” that Russian ships are still ‘ anchor at these types of places. “We leave a Russian ship on the pier, near an arms transfer, while we know that the Russians are just engaged in a hybrid war. “

Bolder researched the risks and vulnerabilities of offshore infrastructure and came to the conclusion that a lot of construction is being done offshore, but safety is not being thought about. “It is very strange that we allow ships on which we are almost certain to have crews who carry out military espionage activities. Amazing,” Bolder told the website.

The MIVD was also asked for an answer, but they could not give a substantial answer to questions from Pointer. The intelligence service revealed that they were investigating Russian espionage and sabotage at sea.