After crossing Arctic route from China, two heavy lift carriers get stuck near Norwegian air base
The Ya Qing Hai Yang (IMO 1021570) and Jian Yang Cheng He (IMO 9813137) have been moored by Andøya, northern Norway, for more than three weeks. The reason is bad weather, says the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
After sailing across the Northern Sea Route from the Chinese port of Zhuhai, the heavy lift carrier Ya Qing Hai Yang (IMO 1021570) drifted for several days by the Aynov Islands, less than 30 km from Russia’s maritime border with Norway.
The ship is one of the heavy lift carriers involved in shipments of industrial modules to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2, a natural gas project heavily sanctioned by the international community.
The Ya Qing Hai Yang is sanctioned by the EU, the USA, Ukraine, and several other countries. It flies a false Guatemalan flag.
On 9 October, the Ya Qing Hai Yang, which was previously named Ocean 28, sailed into Norwegian waters. Four days later, the vessel sailed into the Andfjord, where it has been moored ever since, ship traffic data from V4rde, a maritime intelligence service, show.
One day later, another heavy lift carrier arrived in the same fjord. The Jian Yang Cheng He (IMO: 9813137) had also sailed on the Northern Sea Route from the Chinese port of Zhuhai.
Both carriers remain moored in the northern Norwegian fjord.
Andøya is an island of great military and strategic importance for Norway. It houses a military air base, as well as Andøya Space, the latter being used for the launch of civilian and defence-related missiles and rockets.
Andøya is also the connection point for communication cables to Svalbard, the far northern archipelago.
The reason for the long-lasting stay of the two heavy lift carriers near Andøya is the weather conditions, Arve Dimmen from the Norwegian Coastal Administration explains.
"The two vessels, Ya Qing Hai Yang (IMO 1021570) and Jian Yang Cheng He (IMO 9813137), have sought a port of refuge due to bad weather, as they are entitled to do under international law. As a coastal and maritime nation, it is important for Norway that ships are able to seek a port of refuge. This helps to avert danger to people and the environment along our coastline," he says in a comment to the Barents Observer.
Dimmen, who is Director of Navigation Technology and Maritime Services at the Coastal Administration, emphasises that the Norwegian authorities have followed standard practice and carried out inspections on board both vessels.
Because of its false Guatemalan flag, the Ya Qing Hai Yang was detained.
"During the inspection of the Ya Qing Hai Yang, it was discovered that the vessel was flying a false flag and lacked the correct certificates. The vessel has been detained until the Norwegian Maritime Authority confirms that its documentation is in order and the necessary safety requirements have been met," says Dimmen.
"It is as yet unclear how long this will take," he added.
Dimmen emphasises that the Chinese-flagged Jian Yang Cheng He has not been detained. On 30 October, the vessel attempted to continue its southbound voyage, but chose to turn back to Andøya due to bad weather conditions.
