Ship Carrying Essential Military Supplies For Poland Runs Aground Off Norway

A cargo ship carrying military supplies for Poland ran aground off the coast of Norway on December 5, causing a delay in delivering essential defence equipment.

The ship, Finlandia Seaways, was loaded with Norwegian weapons and was on its way to Poland to support NATO efforts. It was grounded in the Karmsundet Strait, near Haugesund, located north of Stavanger in southwest Norway.

The ship had left Kristiansund, Norway, on December 4, carrying military supplies under strict security. These supplies included a NASAMS air defence system, which was to be used to protect Rzeszow’s airport in Poland, a vital logistics hub for NATO allies.

The cargo also included fighter jets and military personnel.

After the ship ran aground, high winds in the area made it difficult to move the vessel, and some reports suggested a small intake of water. The ship’s rudder and propeller were damaged, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The 23 crew members on board were safe, and the captain confirmed that an evacuation was not needed.

Norway’s Defense Force immediately set up a security zone around the vessel, with the Norwegian Coast Guard and Maritime Safety Authority launching an investigation into the grounding.

Early reports said that the incident happened as the pilot was preparing to leave the vessel. Both the pilot and captain were interviewed and tested for alcohol, but no charges were filed.

A spokesperson for the military told the media there was “nothing dramatic” about the situation. Once the weather was normal, tugs were able to move the ship to a dock in Husoya, Norway.

The Finlandia Seaways was originally due to reach Poland on December 7, but with the grounding incident, the delivery of military supplies will be delayed.

The Norwegian military is considering to replace the ship with another one to continue the transport of the equipment. They’ve acknowledged that the delay will affect the schedule slightly, but it’s not expected to have a major impact on operations.

References: Barrons, Thelocal

Source: Maritime Shipping News