Finland’s Interior Ministry has tabled amendments that would significantly widen the remit of the Finnish Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos). Presented to Parliament on 15 September 2026, the draft legislation would give the service an explicit mandate to monitor and, if necessary, intervene to stop sabotage against under-sea cables, pipelines and other critical infrastructure inside Finland’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The proposal follows a series of unexplained damage incidents in the Baltic and reflects growing concern in Helsinki that hostile state and non-state actors could target energy and data links that keep Finland—and much of northern Europe—connected to the world. Under the bill, Border Guard vessels and aircraft could order or compel vessels, unmanned surface and sub-surface craft, and drones to desist from activities deemed dangerous to infrastructure. They would also gain the right to stop and inspect ships suspected of sailing under false flags or without any nationality—an authority currently reserved for customs and police. The Interior Minister, Mari Rantanen, said the powers are calibrated to "new security realities" and are “essential for safeguarding Finland’s digital and energy lifelines.” Corporate travel and logistics teams should expect tighter maritime controls around key ports such as Helsinki, HaminaKotka and Naantali. While the amendments do not affect passenger-ship timetables directly, operators will need to supply routing and ownership data more promptly, and yachting companies will face pre-notification rules for remotely-piloted craft. The proposal also extends existing drone-interdiction authority from the air domain to land-, surface- and under-water drones, closing a regulatory gap that technology firms had warned about. For multinationals running subsea fibre or power links, the law could accelerate permitting for joint security operations with the Border Guard. Helsinki is already co-ordinating drills—most recently with the French patrol ship FS Pluvier—to rehearse rapid repair and evidence-collection procedures. Insurance providers are watching the bill closely: premiums for Baltic marine assets may stabilise once a clearer enforcement regime is in place. The draft now moves to the Administration Committee and is expected to pass before the winter recess, with the new powers entering force in early 2027. Businesses operating in Finnish waters should review their compliance manuals and ensure masters and UAV operators understand the Border Guard’s expanded stop-and-search rights.
Source: Verkkouutiset
