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Poland Removes Derelict Russian Tanker After 8-Year Standoff Over EU Security Risks
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Poland has removed the Russian tanker Khatanga from the port of Gdynia, where it had been docked since 2017, posing safety risks and incurring financial losses.
The operation was confirmed on June 20 by Poland’s Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Arkadiusz Marchewka, RMF FM reported on June 20.
“We are removing Russian scrap from Poland,” he stated.
The tanker, which had been designated as scrap by Polish maritime authorities, will be transported to Denmark, where it is scheduled to be dismantled. Polish officials emphasized that the vessel had not paid any port fees during its eight-year stay and had become a threat to navigation. In March, it broke free from its moorings twice, endangering other ships.
“The previous administration failed to act for years. Ensuring the safety of our ports is paramount,” Marchewka said.
Because the ship was no longer seaworthy, extensive technical preparations were conducted starting in March to enable its safe removal. The operation was carried out in accordance with strict European regulations and required international coordination.
Poland’s Maritime Office in Gdynia noted that the removal of Khatanga coincides with the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which ends in June. The presidency has operated under the slogan “Security, Europe!”
Earlier, Two large oil tankers — one of them under sanctions and carrying Russian crude — caught fire following a collision near the Strait of Hormuz, sparking concern among global oil markets and shipping operators.
According to Bloomberg, the incident occurred around 00:15 local time, approximately 44 kilometers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, near the port of Khor Fakkan, according to the report.
