Ship with anti-aircraft missiles due to reach Poland grounded

The Finlandia Seaways freighter sailing to Gdynia with NASAMS missiles, intended to protect Rzeszów’s Jasionka airport, is still standing in Stavanger, Norway. While leaving port, the vessel’s hull snagged on the bottom of the quay. The incident is said to have occurred on Thursday evening.

According to Hanne Olafsen, spokeswoman for the Norwegian Armed Forces Operational Command, the armament on board the vessel was not damaged in any way. None of the crew members, including those handling the missile delivery, were hurt either.

– We can assure you that the Polish airport in Rzeszów remains safe, and the NATO units on board will remain in Jasionka for as long as needed. Of course, we have to expect delays in the arrival of Norwegian equipment and personnel, but this will not take more than a few days,’ Olafsen told PAP.

Finlandia Seaways is a civilian vessel hired by the Norwegian military to deliver NASAMS anti-aircraft systems to Poland, which – together with F-35 aircraft – were supposed to protect the military airport near Rzeszów. At the moment, the shipowner is organising a replacement transport. As the incident occurred directly at the port, the army does not foresee any problems with the replacement ship.

As the incident involves a civilian vessel, its circumstances are being investigated by police services. The army has established a safety zone around the immobilised vessel.

Source: PortalMorski.pl