European countries may introduce a tax on shipping companies using the Baltic Sea to cover the cost of protecting undersea cables. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said the tax would act as an “insurance fee” for possible damage to infrastructure on the seabed, similar to landing fees at airports.
The Baltic Sea has recently seen several incidents involving damage to undersea cables, prompting NATO to step up patrols in the region. Additional measures to protect cables are also being considered, including installing sensors to detect anchors and building protective structures around the infrastructure.
While these measures would require significant expenditure, Pevkur noted that a shipping tax could be an effective solution to reduce the financial burden on consumers by preventing increases in taxes or utility rates. European countries are expected to decide on the initiative in the near future.