The 254 meter long, 115488 dwt bulk carrier Eastern Bund ran aground while heading southbound in the Suez Canal. The Eastern Bund had touched bottom resulting in damage to its outer hull. Reports state the inner hull remained intact avoiding water ingress. The bulker was later taken under tow to Suez by two tugs for repairs. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 80 meter long, 3041 dwt cargo vessel Atlantic ran aground near Stångehamn, Sweden. The Atlantic was en route to Oskarshamn from Visby when it ran aground some 6 kilometers from the fairway. Local authorities who were later joined by the Coast Guard arrived on scene and found the officers of the Atlantic were intoxicated. The vessel was found to be hard aground, but no injuries or signs of pollution released.
Reports state the Atlantic had some 44,000 litres of fuel on board at the time of the grounding. Authorities have placed booms around the vessel to contain any possible pollution released. The vessel’s owner and authorities are coordinating salvage options.
The 225 meter long, 68789 dwt bulk carrier Usolie collided with the 188 meter long, 40600 dwt tanker Seatrout on the Western Scheldt near Bath, Netherlands. Both vessels were headed downstream from Antwerp in ballast with the Seatrout headed for Ust-Luga while the Usolie was bound for Klaipeda. The Seatrout had not maintained enough distance where the channel narrowed and was struck at the stern by the Usolie. The Usolie sustained only minor damage and was allowed to continue on its voyage. The Seatrout was nudged out of the fairway and went aground on a mud bank. The vessel requested assistance with 4 tugs responding. The tugs waited until high tide before pulling the Seatrout free. Traffic was halted for vessels over 200 meters long and fishing was prohibited during the incident.
The Seatrout was towed to Vlissingen for inspection for damage. No reports of injuries on either vessel.
