Maritime Sensation: Tanker Spessart at Kiel Week in the shipyard!

Maritime Sensation: Tanker Spessart at Kiel Week in the shipyard!

The Kiel Week 2025, which takes place from June 20th to 29th, is already all about maritime tradition and international cooperation. This year the event will be accompanied by a variety of ships from twelve different nations. Over 1,800 marine soldiers have announced themselves to take part in one of the largest folk festivals in Schleswig -Holstein. A special highlight is the American command chip ship "USS Mount Whitney", which will go to anchor right next to the destroyer "USS Paul Ignatius" in the holiday port.

There is also a not ordinary picture this year at the berth of the German Navy. The tanker "Spessart", known 130 meters long and under the identification A1442, moved into its place at the German Naval Yards (GNYK) shipyard in Kiel-Gaarden for the Kiel Week. The reason for this short -term reconciliation was defects in the berths in the navy home port. The base in the WIK and the marinearsenal in Ellerbek are currently suffering from security and space problems. Frigate captain Tim Gabry's explained that this berth can only be used for the Kiel Week, otherwise the "Spessart" would create the Gorch-Fock-Mole, which is reserved for the Danish frigate "Absalon" this year.

berth problem and maritime tradition

The Oskar-Kusch-Mole in the base is no longer functional due to repair work, just as little as another berth in the marine arsenal, which cannot be used due to dilapidated underground. The "Spessart", a tanker, which is no longer traveling, also needs a place with tractor aid. The Gnyk shipyard promptly brought this necessary change to the breach in Kiel and immediately provided a berth. Most recently, the “Spessart” was in use during a NATO mission in 2023 and has now found its place as a floating tanker in the navy. Interestingly, the ship was already manufactured in 1974 and is one of the oldest tankers within NATO.

In addition to the "Spessart", the discarded tugs "Spiekeroog" and "Fehmarn" also had to be deducted from the naval base. These tractors could be accommodated on the maintenance bunk of the naval arena. Despite these restrictions, the berth situation in the naval base has already relaxed, since most of the 25 foreign naval units who had traveled for the Kiel Week have now left. There will also be an exciting open ship on June 21st and 22nd, which will make the ships accessible to the public at the Kiel-Wik naval base.

supporting program of the Kiel Week

A big spectacle is also the return of the sailing school ship "Gorch Fock", which comes back from his foreign training trip on June 26. On June 28th the windjammer will lead the windjammer parade. In addition to the maritime highlights, guests in Kiel also expect a cutter regatta in the fjord, various events for children and a field reception of the Schleswig-Holstein state group, in which high-ranking guests from politics, Bundeswehr and many other areas are received.

A little romance and a lot of information content for the maritime friends will also be available on June 27th if the "Gorch Fock" is available for another view. Ultimately, the Kiel Week not only offers a look at impressive marine activities, but also the opportunity to experience the diversity and fascination of seafaring up close.

The Kiel Week not only connects people, but also creates a strong band to the international partners. Over 4,000 international marine soldiers will be there, and the new NATO partners Sweden and Finland are also represented with several units. A visit to this special event is an absolute must for every maritime!

For more information about the ships and the program During the Kiel Week, visit KN online, Reservistenverband and [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/kieler_woche/kieler-woche-diese-marinschiffe-sind-s-sgast, Marine1426.html).