EstLink 2 to resume operation on June 25

The EstLink 2 electricity transmission connection between Finland and Estonia, which was damaged on December 25, 2024 to return to commercial use at the end of June, said Finnish national electricity transmission grid operator, Fingrid on Friday.

The repair work as progressed faster than previously estimated and the connection is expected to return to commercial use on June 25.

During the repair work, the submarine cable will be replaced with a new cable over a distance of approximately one kilometer.

Extensive repair work has been planned and prepared in cooperation with various parties since the cable was damaged.

"The progress of the cable repair work has required close cooperation between various parties. Excellent cooperation with the authorities has also enabled safe working conditions for the repair vessel in a busy maritime area," said Unit Manager of Fingrid Kimmo Nepola.

Earlier on January 9, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom inspectors found 32 deficiencies in the Eagle S. Three of the deficiencies were so serious that they led to the ship being detained.

On January 6, anchor of the Eagle S has been recovered from the Gulf of Finland.

On December 31, 2024, seven staff members of tanker Eagle S whose status in the criminal investigation is that of a suspect have been subjected to a travel ban.

Police on December 28, transferred the Eagle S tanker, the suspect of Estlink 2 submarine cable damage from the Gulf of Finland to the Svartbeck inner anchorage near Porvoo.

Finnish authorities suspected the Eagle S, a tanker registered in the Cook Islands for its involvement in the rupture of the Estlink 2 submarine power transmission cable between Finland and Estonia on December 25.

The electricity transmission cable has been cut in the sea area in Finland's exclusive economic zone in the Gulf of Finland, about 55 km south of Loviisa.