Greenpeace campaign and luxury yacht: Kiel harbor in a double pack!

Greenpeace campaign and luxury yacht: Kiel harbor in a double pack!

On September 7, 2025, the port of Kiel became the scene of two remarkable visits: the Greenpeace campaign ship “Arctic Sunrise” and the luxury yacht “Glacial Bear”. While the “Arctic Sunrise” made a critical stop to increase personnel and equipment, the “Glacial Bear” had an impressive tour of the Baltic Sea.

Greenpeace equipped its approximately 50 meter long ship at Sartorikai. The “Arctic Sunrise” booked its berth from Thursday to Saturday to make an important supply stop. The crew also conducted a rescue exercise, highlighting the importance of safety in the waters. The water police showed interest in the ship, but could not find any signs of impending action. Anyone who was eagerly awaiting environmental protection actions was disappointed - everything was completely peaceful.

Luxurious arrival of the “Glacial Bear”

After the “Arctic Sunrise” left the port, the “Glacial Bear” came into the port of Kiel. This impressive yacht, built in 1993 by Brooke Marine in England, has been sailing around the Baltic Sea for the last four weeks, coming from Stockholm. Before she docked in Kiel, she spent a night anchored in Strander Bay. A trip south through the Kiel Canal is planned for the next few days.

With a length of 40 meters and a gross tonnage (GT) of 397, the “Glacial Bear” is rather small by international standards and is currently ranked 2,588th among the luxury yachts active worldwide Superyacht Times. She offers space for nine guests, who can stay in four stylishly furnished cabins, and is accompanied by nine crew members. She is powered by two Caterpillar engines and is one of the explorer yachts that can even sail into Arctic waters.

Environmental awareness at sea

In times when the issue of climate protection is becoming increasingly important in shipping, Greenpeace is paying particular attention to sustainable solutions. Their ship “Arctic Sunrise” plays a central role in their campaigns to raise awareness of environmental issues. But the shipping industry itself is also challenged. According to a study by the DLR Institute for Maritime Energy Systems, the potential of green methanol as a fuel is being investigated. Methanol has lower environmental risks compared to hydrogen or ammonia and can be converted to existing ship propulsion systems. The switch could enable climate-neutral CO2 savings of up to 96 percent over the entire life cycle of a ship - a reduction that would exceed the climate emissions of a city like Cologne.

The two ships that moored in Kiel today not only represent different lifestyles, but also the awareness and challenges that the maritime world has to overcome in terms of environmental protection. The port thus becomes an important place where the connection between luxurious travel and efforts towards sustainability becomes visible.

For more information about Arctic Sunrise and its missions, visit Greenpeace.