In a Hong Kong court, Wan Wenguo, the 44-year-old captain of the Newnew Polar Bear, pleaded not guilty to charges of willful damage concerning the Balticconnector gas pipeline and related telecommunications cables that allegedly occurred on October 8, 2023. The prosecution claims that the ship's anchor, while operating under the Hong Kong flag, caused intentional damage to these critical infrastructures, affecting energy supplies between Finland and Estonia. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding maritime safety and the responsibility of foreign vessels in international waters, particularly as the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation indicated that the damage was linked to an anchor malfunction from the container ship. The captain's defense insists that the incident was an unfortunate accident, aligning with Beijing's claims, suggesting a divergence in narratives regarding accountability. Currently, the captain remains in pre-trial detention in Hong Kong since May 2025, where he awaits further judicial proceedings. The outcome of this case could have broader implications on international maritime law and the protocols that ships must follow when operating in foreign waters, especially regarding interactions with undersea infrastructure, which is critical for various nations' energy supplies.