German submarine U17's epic journey to Sinsheim museum

After a four-week journey with numerous obstacles, a German submarine has reached its destination. Its transport was a spectacle on the internet and a tourist attraction.

The German submarine U17 S196 arrived at the Museum of Technology in Sinsheim. The entire operation of transporting the submarine from Speyer to Sinsheim began on 30 June, and on Sunday, 28 July, the transport concluded, which garnered immense interest. The event was streamed live on the museum's YouTube channel, and many onlookers watched the various stages live.

The gigantic platform pulled by trucks had to stop in many places to adjust the submarine's position to lying down. The submarine's conning tower couldn't fit under some viaducts or power lines.

The transport was carried out on a low-deck platform with thirty axles, pulled and pushed by MAN TGX and Mercedes Actros ballast tractors. Four vehicles were sometimes used simultaneously. The cargo itself was over 48 metres long and weighed 350 tonnes.

The U17 S196 submarine served in the German army from 1973 to 2010 and participated in NATO exercises. After its service period, it was intended to be a museum exhibit. In 2023, the submarine arrived at the Museum of Technology Speyer, where it underwent renovation and weight reduction. On 28 July, it is located in the Museum of Technology Sinsheim, where it will soon be displayed.