The 190 meter long, 50992 dwt bulk carrier Eleni M ran aground on the Uruguay River off Nueva Palmira, Uraguay. The Eleni M was en route to Las Palmas with 36000 tons of soy beans from Recalda, Argentina when the vessel ran aground. No reports of injuries. Tugs were dispatched to the scene to help refloat the Eleni M. Reports state the Eleni M was blocking traffic.
The 85 meter long, 3800 dwt cargo vessel Abis Bergen ran aground just outside the port of Rostock, Germany. The Abis Bergen was proceeding out the port when a navigation error caused the vessel to run aground blocking traffic into the vessel. The water police arrived on scene and found the master of the vessel under the influence of alcohol. The Abis Bergen was later refloated and towed away by a tug.
The 168 meter long, 20615 dwt container ship TS Taipei broke up just offshore off Taiwan. The TS Taipei had gone ashore on March 10 after suffering engine failure. The vessel remained hard aground while salvage operations attempted to remove fuel off the vessel. However, salvage was suspended due to a severe storm which also caused the vessel finally broke-in-two. The hull cracked amidships and fuel oil was released from ruptured bunker tanks. Authorities dispatched a pollution response team to the scene along with multiple boats. Booms were placed around the pollution to contain any further oil released. Reports also state that several containers have fallen overboard which may contain hazardous chemicals.
