Browsed by
Tag: Container ship

MSC Baltic III

MSC Baltic III

MSC Baltic III
Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

On the morning of February 15, the 207 meter long, 33767 dwt container ship MSC Baltic III (IMO: 9241475) ran aground in the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Lark Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. The MSC Baltic III had lost power and was adrift in stormy weather with winds over 120 kilometers per hour and waves reaching 6 meters in height. The vessel dropped its starboard anchor hoping to keep the vessel from running aground, but the effort failed and the MSC Baltic III ran ashore along the rocky coastline.

The MSC Baltic III issued a distress call with the Canadian Coast Guard dispatching the 100 meter long, 6,166 gt cutter Henry Larsen along with multiple helicopters to assist. Cormorant helicopters arrived on scene a few hours later and was able to airlift all 20 crew off the MSC Baltic III to safety. No reports of injuries.

The cause of the power failure was not disclosed. Authorities are monitoring the vessel for potential pollution being released from the fuel tanks. An inspection of damage would be conducted when weather conditions improve. No reports of containers breaking free and going overboard. Reports state the MSC Baltic III was headed for Corner Brook, Newfoundland from Montreal, Quebec with a cargo of containers.

Kiel Canal Collision

Kiel Canal Collision

Essence

On the morning of February 6, the 168 meter long, 21298 dwt container ship Essence (IMO: 9491496)  collided with the 142 meter long, 9516 dwt container ship X-Press Mülhacen (IMO: 9365960) on the Kiel Canal next to the Holtenau locks at Kiel, Germany. The Essence, en route to Rotterdam from Kotka, was exiting out of the south lock in thick fog when it scraped against the X-Press Mülhacen as it was attempting to enter the north lock. Both vessels were detained while the water police launched an investigation into the incident. After the questioning and inspections were completed a few hours later, the Essence was allowed to proceed on its voyage. Reports state the X-Press Mülhacen was detained until the evening of February 6 before it could continue on its journey to Gdynia.  There were no reports of injuries or any pollution released.

X-Press Mülhacen

Bernhard Schepers

Bernhard Schepers

Bernhard Schepers

On the morning of February 1. the 150 meter long, 10600 dwt container ship Bernhard Schepers (IMO: 9492505) allided with the lock in the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, Germany. Reports state the boxship was entering the new north lock in dense fog when it struck the central tail and gate niche. While there were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released from the Bernhard Schepers, the lock gate did sustained some damage. Authorities have stated the lock gate is inoperable and the Bernhard Schepers has remain stuck within the lock.  The water police has not released any further details, but it is assumed repairs are ongoing to get the lock gate working again.

There have been several recent allisions at Brunsbüttel which has damaged both the north and south locks.  Here are just a recent few: