Poland Removes Derelict Russian Tanker, Sends It for Scrapping in Denmark
A Russian oil tanker that had been stranded in the Polish port of Gdynia since 2017 has finally been removed and will be dismantled in Denmark, Polish authorities confirmed on Friday.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to RMF.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Arkadiusz Marchewka announced the long-awaited departure of the “Hatanga”, which had remained idle for eight years, accumulating costs and posing navigational risks.
The Polish Maritime Office in Gdynia reported that the removal process was conducted under strict European regulations and required extensive international coordination.
The tanker reportedly broke free from its moorings twice earlier this year, raising concerns about the safety of surrounding vessels and infrastructure.
Marchewka criticized previous administrations for allowing the Russian vessel to remain untouched in the harbor for years. “No port fees were paid. The ship just stood there, a symbol of neglect. Port safety must be our top priority,” he stated.
The tanker’s removal comes as European coastal nations intensify efforts to combat Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
On Thursday, 14 European countries, including 11 EU member states (among them the Baltic states, Germany, France, and the Netherlands) as well as the UK, Norway, and Iceland, issued a joint statement pledging coordinated action against Russia’s opaque maritime network.
“We have agreed to strengthen our cooperation and ensure a unified response from national authorities to the challenges posed by Russia’s shadow fleet,” the declaration read.
The group intends to develop guidelines promoting responsible maritime behavior, improved adherence to international law, and greater transparency in shipping operations.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate has exposed illegal operations by Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which continues to covertly transport sanctioned oil near European shores in defiance of global sanctions.