The German authorities have detained a ship carrying cargo from Russia in the Rostock seaport. According to initial research by the “Ostseezeitung” (OZ), the “Atlantic Navigator II” also loaded goods that are on the European Union’s sanctions lists.
The “Atlantic Navigator II” has been in the Rostock seaport since March 4th. The freighter, which sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands, is not allowed to sail. The reason is apparently its cargo: the ship, whose destination is the USA, has 251 containers of birch plywood from Russia on board. The investigating public prosecutor’s office in Rostock confirmed this to NDR in the afternoon. The wood is on the European Union’s sanctions lists and therefore cannot be shipped from Rostock.
Stopping repairs will be fatal to the freighter
Originally, the ship coming from St. Petersburg was not supposed to call at the port of Rostock. According to the Hanseatic city’s port and seafarers’ office, engine damage forced an unscheduled repair stop in Rostock. Customs came across the goods that had been sanctioned by the EU because of the Russian attack on Ukraine and prohibited them from continuing their journey; customs imposed a so-called detention order. As the Port and Seaman’s Office announced when asked by NDR, the propeller damage on the “Atlantic Navigator II” has already been repaired.
Shipping company fails with protest
It was also said that customs investigations were ongoing. The ship is said to be traveling for a Canadian shipping company. She has lodged a protest against the customs detention order, but so far without success. Customs has not yet wanted to say what will happen to the sanctioned goods “due to ongoing investigations”. It is also unclear who ultimately owns the ship. The freighter is listed in the fleet of a shipping company that operates branches and offices in Canada, the USA, Russia (St. Petersburg) and Ukraine (Odessa), among others.
Business with Russia despite sanctions
Business between other European countries and Russia continues regardless of all sanctions. France, for example, needs uranium for its nuclear power plants. And the USA also continues to receive enriched uranium from Russia. Last year, according to publicly available information, the United States imported around 700 tons worth $1.2 billion.
This topic in the program:
NDR 1 Radio MV | News from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | April 2, 2024 | 1:30 p.m