Russian tanker “Khatanga” set for scrapping after eight years of downtime in Poland (video)

The Russian tanker “Khatanga”, which has been in the port of Gdynia since 2017, has finally left the berth and set off for Denmark.

On June 19, the vessel was towed for disposal to the Smedegaarden A/S plant in Esbjerg, Denmark, Gospodarka Morska reports.

The operation was postponed several times due to strong winds. In the evening, the tanker was unmoored, turned around and taken through the port, after which it was towed by the Danish ship Svend. Three Polish tugboats were also involved in the operation.

During the last exit from the port, the tanker was accompanied by pilots. The towing distance was about 500 meters, and the speed was about 4 knots. The process was observed by journalists, port workers and representatives of the Polish authorities, including the Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klymczak.

The amount of the deal with the Danish side was not disclosed. According to the president of the port of Gdynia, Piotr Gorzynski, the funds received will be enough to cover the costs of maintaining the vessel.

The shipyard expects the tanker to arrive in the morning of Tuesday, June 24.

We will recall that the oil tanker “Khatanga” (deadweight 23 thousand tons) was detained in the port of Gdynia in October 2017. During the inspection, structural problems were discovered on the vessel, as well as questions about the training and competence of the crew. The vessel, which belongs to the Murmansk Shipping Company, was undergoing repairs.

However, the Murmansk Shipping Company declared bankruptcy in 2020, and control over the vessel passed to the company’s trustee. The owners periodically inspected the vessel, but it seems that they have lost interest. According to Polish media, even the main crew is missing from the vessel.