On May 16, the barge B 309 ran aground on the Weser River near Porta Westfalica, Germany. Reports state the barge had stranded near the entrance to a gravel pit resulting in the barge blocking river traffic in the area. A special excavator was brought to the scene and unloaded the barge of its cargo of sand. The B 309 was later refloated with no reports of damage. Reports state the navigation channel was also dredged after the incident. See the video of the incident here.
On May 11, the 304 meter long, 85760 dwt container ship MSC Antonia (IMO: 9398216) ran aground in the Red Sea some 100 nautical miles from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The boxship was headed for Jeddah after making a stop at Port Sudan when it ran aground. After the grounding, the vessel developed a small list to port. The MSC Antonia was unable to free itself and requested assistance. Reports state several tugs were dispatched to help refloat the container ship.
The cause of the grounding is under investigation. News reports suggest the MSC Antonia ran aground due to its GPS being jammed by electronic interference in the area. The vessel owners has not disclosed or made comments about the incident. No details if any damage or pollution had been release from the incident.
On the early morning of May 10, the 114 meter long self-propelled passenger ship Bijou Du Rhône (MMSI: 249358000) collided with a barge (name not disclosed) on the Rhône River near Sablons, France. The Bijou Du Rhône loaded with 127 passengers and 39 crew struck the barge resulting in hull damage on the Bijou Du Rhône with a hole above the waterline. The barge sustained significant hull damage. There were no injuries on either vessel.
Authorities arrived on site and begun transferring passengers to shore where they were later taken by bus to the next destination. The barge was taken under tow by the local fire brigade to the industrial port of Salaise-sur-Sanne. The Bijou Du Rhône remained in Sablons while in was inspected. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.