Sinking cutters in Rostock: Cities in financial alert!

Sinking cutters in Rostock: Cities in financial alert!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, old fishing boats are causing increasing problems for cities and communities. These former workhorses are increasingly sinking in the harbor or at their berths, causing financial problems for those responsible. The situation is particularly coming to a head in Rostock, where, according to a current survey by the German Press Agency (dpa), there is a worrying trend. The Rostock port captain, Falk Zachau, spoke of eight incidents in the last five years that were due to age-related wear and tear and poor maintenance. The “Luna Rossa”, which caused problems again at the end of July 2023, is particularly noticeable.

But it is not only the Rostock port that is faced with these challenges. Accidents are also recorded in Greifswald and Stralsund. An example is the “Nordland III”, which sank in 2023 and whose salvage could cost an estimated half a million euros. A legal dispute broke out between the city and the state, which led to the Higher Administrative Court. In Stralsund, the “Rudolf Virchow” had to be secured after operating materials got into the water. Dealing with such wrecks is complicated by the rules and regulations governing the dismantling of dilapidated ships.

Accidents and their causes

The sunken cutters are usually no longer seaworthy and have often been converted into snack bars. But the responsibility lies not only with the port authorities, but also with the owners of these ships, who are responsible for maintenance and any disposal. Interestingly, many of these old ships are not registered on the official ship register, making their proper removal difficult. The Schwerin Ministry of Economics and Transport is now planning to revise the state port regulations in order to give the port authorities expanded powers, possibly also for the removal of sunken ships.

The danger posed by the wrecks is particularly worrying. According to the experts, potential environmental risks from sunken shipwrecks could have serious consequences for the marine environment. According to the Federal Environment Agency, numerous old wrecks around the world, often from the Second World War, pose a threat. Some are potentially dangerous because they still contain fuel and other pollutants. A single leak from such a wreck can pollute up to a million liters of water.

Future prospects

The port authorities are therefore faced with a huge task. Rostock port captain Zachau not only criticizes the lack of opportunities to dismantle ailing ships, but also calls for urgent legislative measures to improve the situation. However, before the legal basis is created, cities continue to rely on the initiative of ship owners, who often do not adequately fulfill their obligations. The pressure to find solutions here is growing rapidly.

Overall, the situation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shows that the combination of outdated ships and inadequate legal framework poses significant challenges for port companies. The upcoming changes to the existing regulations could represent a first step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether they will actually be implemented effectively.