The 209 meter long, 23882 dwt car carrier Repubblica Argentina went aground on the Western Scheldt River after suffering engine failure. The Repubblica Argentina was later released with the aid of seven tugs and berthed at Flushing. No reports of injuries or pollution being released. The car carrier was headed to Antwerp from Dakar.
The 16,006 dwt car carrier vesel Hoegh Seoul went aground in the outer Weser River nearBremerhaven, Germany. The Hoegh Seoul was leaving Bremerhaven bound for Antwerp when its steering gear failed sending the vessel out of the busy shipping channel into the shallows. While there was thick fog and poor visibility, it did not play a factor for the vessel?s grounding. Initial inspections show the rudder was damaged which could have led to the steering failure. The Hoegh Seoul was later refloated by four tugs and was taken back to Bremerhaven for further investigation.