Several possible spy ships observed off the coast of Belgium
At least five non-military ships that passed the Belgian coast in the past six months may be involved in espionage, according to the security services. This is reported by the Belgian VRT NWS, which reports that fishing boats are also being examined for the first time.
“Today, espionage is more difficult to detect. Where in the past research vessels or military ships were mainly used, we now see non-military ships more often,” a spokesperson for the Maritime Security Cell told VRT. “For example, these are merchant ships or they at least look like merchant ships. They could also be fishing vessels. That makes detection much more difficult. But we then see that they suddenly start sailing a little slower.”
Ships from the Russian fishing company Norebo are being examined, among other things. “They have large and modern ships that are regularly mentioned in espionage,” the office of Minister of Justice and the North Sea Paul Van Tigchelt confirmed to the broadcaster. Chinese dredgers are also mentioned. These can be used “in addition to economic use, also for military use. This of course does not make detection any easier.”
VRT NWS collaborated with the Dutch research program Pointer (KRO-NCRV) for the story. It reported that there are strong indications that Norebo is involved in Russian espionage. According to Pointer, ships from that company dock approximately every two weeks in Velsen and Eemshaven in the Netherlands to deliver loads of frozen fish.
