“Conquerors” of the Arctic – а German icebreaker ‘Neuwerk’ stuck in Baltic ice

The German icebreaker Neuwerk
Photo: NDR TV channel

The German icebreaker Neuwerk got stuck in the Arctic ice due to a technical malfunction, the vessel was supposed to ensure the unhindered movement of tankers to the liquefied natural gas terminal in the port of Mukran on the coast of Rügen. This was reported on February 14 by NDR TV channel.

According to the German Directorate of Waterways and Shipping, after staying at sea, the icebreaker was forced to return to the port of Mukran. Experts examined the multipurpose vessel, but the exact nature of the damage was not disclosed. It is also unknown how long the repair work will take.

Under the current conditions, tugboats are used to clear the ice. A thick layer of ice made the port of Mukran inaccessible to tankers for several days. Previously, Neuwerk was transferred from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea to clear the shipping channel, and Arkona, the largest German icebreaker in the Baltic Sea, was sent to the North Sea. Currently, the smaller chartered tugboat VB Bremen Fighter has taken over ensuring the passage of ships to the port of Sassnitz.

Due to the breakdown of the icebreaker, the arrival of the Minerva Amogdos liquefied natural gas tanker has been delayed, which has been in the ice-free zone of the Baltic Sea off the coast of Rügen for about a week.

Minerva Amogdos liquefied natural gas tanker encased in ice
Photo: NDR TV channel

Andrey Puchkov, General Director of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), announced on November 18 last year during the laying ceremony of the nuclear icebreaker Stalingrad that Russia had begun construction of the largest series of seven icebreakers in world history, ‘Izvestia’ reports.

According to him, over the past two years, under the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the nuclear-powered ship Chukotka has been launched and the icebreaker Leningrad has been laid down.

…Westerners' sweeping statements about their readiness to “compete for the Arctic with the Russians” are, in fact, empty talk.

Even in the Baltic Sea, the Germans can't handle the ice.

So, what can we say about the Arctic when the US and Europe lack icebreakers, and the largest German icebreaker simply broke down and froze itself in the Baltic ice.

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