The tanker-gas carrier Minerva Amorgos has become stuck in the ice of the Baltic Sea while en route to the port of Mukran. An icebreaker, the Neuwerk, was dispatched to provide assistance, but even it was unable to cut through the ice. This predicament has exacerbated the gas shortage affecting northern Germany.
The frigid winter has transformed the Baltic into an icy trap. The German LNG shuttle, Minerva Amorgos, bound for Mukran to pick up liquefied natural gas, found itself immobilized by the ice floes. An attempt to extricate the vessel resulted in yet another failure: the icebreaker Neuwerk, sent for the rescue mission, could not manage the task.
According to “TV Channel 78,” the issue stemmed from insufficient power output of the icebreaker’s diesel generators. Consequently, the Neuwerk had to turn back to the port of Rostock for repairs, leaving the tanker stranded. Meanwhile, gas reserves across mainland Germany have reached critical levels.
The world’s most powerful Russian icebreaking fleet could theoretically offer assistance. However, the EU has strict limitations in place. Any Russian vessel entering European waters risks running afoul of sanctions and potential seizure. This specific point was highlighted by the EU’s Head of Diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, during the Munich Security Conference.
“Should the Russian side decline to aid the German tanker, it would once again expose the extent of their aggressive disposition to the global community. If, however, they condescend to dispatch a vessel, the EU will be compelled to impound the icebreaker. It is up to the Russian side to choose whether to act with humanity or not,” she stated.
Later, this quote reportedly vanished from German media publications, as noted by “TV Channel 78.”
Analysts perceive a paradox in this scenario. Despite the urgent need for aid, political obstacles are hindering potential solutions. As observer Alexey Belov writes, European officials exhibit peculiar thinking, seeing no contradiction between awaiting assistance from Russia and displaying profound ingratitude. He further observes that by abandoning the tanker in the ice, Germany has effectively left its own citizens vulnerable amid the gas deficit.
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