Old wooden ship leaks oil for months as municipality seeks state intervention

A derelict wooden vessel has been leaking oil in Hobro Harbour for months, prompting Mariagerfjord Municipality to call for national clarification on removing polluting ships, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The municipality has deployed a floating barrier to contain the spread of oil into Mariager Fjord, but efforts to compel the ship’s owner to remove it have failed. With no legal means to force compliance, local politicians are now pushing for clearer rules on handling abandoned vessels that pose environmental risks.

“We’ve done what we can, but the waiting is the real problem,” said Social Democrat councillor Edin Hajder. “Anything could happen while we wait, and we fear a major environmental disaster.”

The ship, MS Lyø—a former 1941 naval minesweeper now in private hands—sank in February and was later salvaged but continues to leak. Local angler Christoffer Thorsager described the pollution as “heartbreaking,” citing oiled birds landing on the fjord when winds push oil past the barrier.

“It should be simple: remove the boat, stop the leak. Instead, the problem just grows,” Thorsager said.

The municipality will issue another removal order to the owner. If ignored, taxpayers may foot the bill for hauling the vessel. The owner has not responded to requests for comment.

Councillors argue that polluting ships are a nationwide issue, with harbour owners often left bearing cleanup costs when owners refuse to act.