Icebreaker “Neuwerk” Faces Technical Setback, Impacting Shipping Operations
The icebreaker “Neuwerk” has been taken out of service due to a technical defect, disrupting operations at the LNG terminal in Mukran, off the coast of Rügen. This incident occurred on February 13, 2026, after the vessel returned to port from a mission at sea. The Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) reported that the ship’s defect required a specialist inspection. However, details regarding the specific nature of the damage and the estimated timeline for repairs remain undisclosed.
In the meantime, ice has formed a thick layer, making the port of Mukran inaccessible to LNG tankers for several days. To mitigate the situation, tugs have been deployed to clear the ice. The “Neuwerk” was initially transferred from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea to assist in maintaining an open shipping channel. In exchange, Germany’s largest Baltic Sea icebreaker, the “Arkona,” was dispatched to the North Sea. Currently, the smaller tug “VB Bremen Fighter” is tasked with keeping the shipping channel to the port of Sassnitz free from ice.
