Khatanga tanker will eventually leave Port Gdynia

After years of deadlock and media pressure, the situation around a Russian oil tanker that had been behind for almost eight years Khatanga It's starting to change. Port Gdynia began intensive preparations for the launch of the unit, which since 2017 was an unresolved issue both in terms of legal and maritime safety.

Our editorial board has already informed on this case, paying attention to the multi-million-dollar costs of the unit's stop, port threats and possible intelligence aspects.

Removal process Khatangand It's getting fast.

According to official information, the Board of Maritime Port Gdynia (ZMPG) is currently coordinating with port and shipping security entities. The whole process shall take place in accordance with the timetable laid down in the order of the Maritime Office in Gdynia, which has obliged the port to remove the vessel within three months of the receipt of the decision.

The process follows the schedule set out in the order of the Maritime Office in Gdynia, which ZMPG has been seeking for a long time. That document shall set a maximum period of three months after receipt of the decision.

Kalina Gierblinska, ZMPG press secretary

Given the nature of the operation and the need to ensure its smooth operation, the port does not yet disclose details of the ship's disposal activities.

Years of inactivity and million loss

Removal decision Khatangi is a breakthrough after eight years of stalemate which cost Port Gdynia about PLN 13 million. During that time, the ship remained crewless, powerless and in a technical state that prevented it from leaving port.

In February, the Ministry of Infrastructure officially confirmed that the entity poses a threat to shipping and port infrastructure. It was this argument that determined the decision to remove it.

What about the unit?

The Board of the Port of Gdynia announces that it will seek to sell the ship to cover, at least in part, the outstanding cost of the stopover.

ZMPG will seek to sell this unit to cover at least part of its liabilities arising from the failure of the Russian shipowner to pay the stop..

Kalina Gierblinska, ZMPG spokesperson

It is not yet known who can take over the unit and whether it will hit scrap metal. On the other hand, it is certain that Port Gdynia will demand reimbursement of the cost of the stop from the Russian shipowner – Murmansk Shipping Company, which declared bankruptcy in 2020.

After years of deadlock, time for concrete action

Case Khatangi is one example of complex legal and logistical problems that may arise from ship abandonment by the shipowner. Over the years, the unit broke out of cum at least twice, threatening other ships and port infrastructure.

Is it really going to be removed this time? The port has three months to carry out this operation and its details will be disclosed in subsequent stages.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz