Ice Blocks Harbors in Greifswalder Bodden - Baltic Sea ports paralyzed as record winter ice traps ships in Germany

Heavy winter ice on the Baltic Sea has brought maritime traffic to a standstill in parts of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Several ports in the Greifswald Lagoon remain blocked, with four fully loaded ships trapped in Lubmin and Vierow. The winter frost has gripped the region, causing thick ice to form in key shipping routes. In the Landtief fairway and near Palmer Ort, even ice-class certified vessels cannot pass safely. The Federal Waterways Administration (WSA Ostsee) is monitoring the situation and conducting icebreaking operations under legal guidelines. While ports like Rostock and Wismar stay open, others face severe restrictions. The LNG tanker Marvel Phoenix is due to arrive on Sunday, but docking depends on winter and weather conditions. Authorities are preparing for possible delays. The last time the southeastern Baltic Sea saw such extreme winter was in 2010/11. Back then, shipping routes near the Gulf of Riga and Kaliningrad were blocked for nearly three months. This winter's conditions now mirror that prolonged freeze. The ongoing cold snap continues to disrupt trade and transport in the region. Ships remain stuck in port, and further delays are likely until winter conditions improve. The WSA Ostsee's operations will determine when normal maritime traffic can resume.