Didn’t she earn the nickname “Iron Pig” during her 38 years of service. Here before us lies the Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen. This former German icebreaker tells a tale of maritime history.
The Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen was built in 1967. It was constructed at the Admiralty Shipyard in Leningrad, Soviet Union. After its decommissioning in 2005, the ship became a museum in its homeport, Rostock. The ship is named after Stephan Jantzen. He was a captain and harbor pilot from Warnemünde.
In the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union designed a new diesel-electric icebreaker. The design was based on a former Kriegsmarine steam-powered icebreaker. The Project 97 icebreakers became the largest class of icebreakers in the world. The Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen is part of the Project 97E subclass. It is nearly identical to the Soviet Union’s icebreakers.
The Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen measures 67.64 meters long. Its beam reaches 18.28 meters. The ship’s power plant includes three 1,800-horsepower diesel engines. These engines power two propellers in the stern and one in the bow. The ship could tow a 200,000-tonne tanker at 3 knots. It could break through 70 centimeters of ice.
Operated by Bagger-, Bugsier- und Bergungsreederei Rostock until 1990. Later Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt Stralsund operated the ship. Although built as an icebreaker, Stephan Jantzen performed rescue and towing operations. In 1976, it towed the tanker Metula from Brunsbüttel to Spain.
In 2005, the Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen was replaced by the Arkona. The ship was put up for sale. Beta Mar Limited won the auction. But the company forfeited its downpayment.
In 2006, Paolo Zampolli bought the icebreaker. He planned to convert it into a luxury yacht. The ship was registered in Panama under the name King Ice. In 2008, its name reverted to Stephan Jantzen. In 2009, it was offered for sale for $3.5 million.
In July 2009, the ship was moved to Rostock. The Interessengemeinschaft Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen maintained the vessel. In 2012, Zampolli announced plans to convert the ship to a research vessel. Later, the ship was allegedly sold and renamed König Ludwig II Von Bayern.
In 2016, the Rostock district court seized Stephan Jantzen. This happened because of unpaid fees. The Technische Flotte Rostock guarded the ship.
In 2018, the city of Rostock acquired the ship at auction. The Technische Flotte Rostock opened it as a museum ship. Extensive cleanup was done.
Today, the Eisbrecher Stephan Jantzen stands as a testament to maritime engineering. It highlights the dedication of those who navigate icy waters. As you explore its decks, remember the “Iron Pig”. Its legacy lives on as a floating museum. The city will invest two million euros in the coming years to restore it.