Aerial drone vision of tugboats And ships entering harbour docks.
Credit: Shutterstock, maradek
A mysterious Russian tanker that’s been abandoned in Poland’s Port of Gdynia since 2017 is back in the spotlight, raising eyebrows and major security concerns as whispers of espionage swirl around its rusty hull.
The Khatanga, a 23,000-tonne product tanker, has been docked and deteriorating for over six years after failing a Port State inspection. The inspection uncovered serious structural issues and crew competency concerns, forcing the vessel into indefinite limbo. But now, with Poland’s military intelligence and security agencies taking a keen interest, the once-forgotten ship is causing a storm – and not just in the Baltic Sea.
Ghost ship or secret spy base?
Abandoned by its owners, Murmansk Shipping Company, after their 2020 bankruptcy, the Khatanga has been left to rot without so much as a skeleton crew to keep it afloat. The situation came to a head during recent winter storms when the tanker broke loose from its moorings not once, but twice – on December 15 and January 12 – prompting frantic efforts from nearby tugs to prevent a disaster.
Poland’s Port of Gdynia, which plays a vital role in NATO logistics and houses the Polish Navy’s operations, is now facing tough questions. Is the Khatanga merely a derelict danger, or could it hide something sinister? With memories of the Eagle S tanker loaded with Russian spying gear still fresh, suspicions are mounting over what might be lurking aboard the Khatanga.
Explosive potential – literally
To add fuel to the fire (or potentially start one), the Khatanga’s oil tanks have not been degassed in years. This neglect could mean explosive gases have built up onboard, turning the ship into a floating bomb waiting for a spark. Yet Polish authorities have been unable to inspect the vessel due to legal hurdles, leaving it a ticking time bomb docked in their backyard.
Parliament and port bosses demand action
Members of Poland’s Special Services Committee are now calling for answers, as military counterintelligence and the Internal Security Agency dig into the mystery surrounding the tanker. Meanwhile, Gdynia’s Seaport Authority has been fighting a legal battle to seize the ship, citing years of unpaid port fees racked up by its absentee owners.
Adding the Murmansk Shipping Company to international sanctions lists is one potential move, which would allow Polish authorities to take control of the vessel. Brokers have even listed the Khatanga for sale, though who would want to buy this rusting headache remains a mystery in itself.
A Baltic mystery with high stakes
With the port’s strategic importance and NATO’s equipment passing through its container terminal, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Is the Khatanga just an ageing rust bucket, or does it pose a far greater threat?
For now, the Russian ghost ship remains moored in Gdynia, its secrets as tightly sealed as its oil tanks. But as Polish authorities dig deeper, one thing is clear – this abandoned tanker is no longer drifting under the radar.
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