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Stockholm maritime school's ship relocation sparks political dispute

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Key Points
  • The Sjömansskolan's training ship must relocate this summer to accommodate a new bathing area in Stockholm.
  • The school warns the move threatens education due to a narrow berth and operational issues.
  • Opposition politician Jan Jönsson criticizes the decision, while city official Lars Strömgren defends it as suitable.

The Sjömansskolan's training ship Polfors at Söder Mälarstrand in Stockholm will need to move about a kilometer closer to Slussen this summer to make way for a bathing area. According to the school's principal, this threatens the education, as the new berth is too narrow, affecting important training elements and making it difficult or impossible to empty the ship's latrine tank. Opposition councilor Jan Jönsson of the Liberal Party criticizes the decision, calling it irresponsible and arguing that the majority rule has not taken the school's warnings seriously, especially during a time of shortage of maritime personnel.

He states that the school trains about 20 percent of Swedish maritime personnel, and a disruption could be a huge loss for Swedish shipping. Traffic councilor Lars Strömgren of the Green Party says the city has engaged in dialogue with the school about the move and believes the new location is suitable, being closer to Slussen and more convenient for some. During the interview, SVT also asked Jönsson about his planned departure from the Liberal Party, but he declined to comment, referring to an ongoing process in the party.

this threatens the education, as the new berth is too narrow, affecting important training elements and making it difficult or impossible to empty the ship's latrine tank

, school's principal

calling it irresponsible and arguing that the majority rule has not taken the school's warnings seriously, especially during a time of shortage of maritime personnel

Jan Jönsson, Opposition councilor of the Liberal Party

the school trains about 20 percent of Swedish maritime personnel, and a disruption could be a huge loss for Swedish shipping

Jan Jönsson, Opposition councilor of the Liberal Party

the city has engaged in dialogue with the school about the move and believes the new location is suitable, being closer to Slussen and more convenient for some

Lars Strömgren, Traffic councilor of the Green Party

he declined to comment, referring to an ongoing process in the party

Jan Jönsson, Opposition councilor of the Liberal Party

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