The Zeal: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

After protracted negotiations spanning over a year, Maersk has successfully recovered the 'RN Polaris', a tanker that found itself stranded in Nakhodka due to the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The vessel, which was docked in the Russian Far East, finally set sail at the end of April 2023 after Maersk secured permission to board its crew. The ship made its way to Donghae on May 2, where it has since been rebranded as 'Marsk Tutu'. Previously, only a fraction of the crew was allowed on board. In a significant policy move, Maersk confirmed that the 6,843-ton tanker will not be utilized for any transportation to or from Russia or for carrying Russian-related cargo. This decision aligns with the company's declaration three weeks post-invasion, on February 24, 2022, where they committed to ceasing all operations in Russia, a promise they have largely fulfilled. The 'RN Polaris' stands out as an exception, alongside four tugboats from its subsidiary Svitzer, which remain on the market for sale.

On November 16, 2017, the maritime world witnessed an incident involving the tanker 'RN Polaris' as it ran aground in Slavyanka Bay, located to the south of Vladivostok. The grounding occurred around midnight when the vessel was departing from Slavyanka port, potentially after completing bunkering procedures. Salvage efforts were swiftly initiated, and within approximately 3 to 4 hours, the tanker was successfully refloated. However, the RN Polaris faced further complications shortly after setting sail due to a mechanical malfunction. After resolving the issue, the tanker finally departed at 10 p.m., setting its course for Nakhodka.