A cargo ship loaded with Norwegian weapons was en route to a Polish logistics hub that distributes military aid to Ukraine when it ran aground off Norway’s coast on 5 December.
The vessel was transporting some of the weapons Oslo announced on 2 December to protect the hub when it ran aground. Reports state that Norway’s Defense Force chartered the cargo ship from DFDS and it was observed loading military supplies under tight security near Kristiansund, Norway. The vessel departed on 4 December but on 5 December was grounded in the narrow Karmsundet Strait near Haugesund, north of Stavanger in southwest Norway.
Tugs were dispatched to secure the vessel in place due to high winds in the region with some reports suggesting a minor intake of water. The vessel’s rudder and propeller were damaged. Onboard the vessel was a crew of 23 but no reports of injuries and the captain reported an evacuation was not required.
“The vessel hit a shoal and suffered damage to the rudder and propeller. It had to be tugged to a dock” a spokesman for the Sola rescue centre, Thomas Breivoll, told AFP.
