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Tag: Container ship

Grande Brasile

Grande Brasile

Grande Brasile

On February 18, the 214 meter long, 26169 dwt ro-ro container ship Grande Brasile (IMO: 9198123) caught fire in the English Channel 15 miles off the coast of Ramsgate, England. The Grande Brasile was bound for Le Havre from Antwerp with a mixed cargo of vehicles and containers when a fire broke out on one of the decks. Both the UK Coastguard and RNLI lifeboat crews responded to the incident along with the French tug Abeille Normandie and a Dutch fixed wing aircraft. Reports state the fire was brought under control using the onboard CO2 fire suppression, but the vessel’s main engine was disabled.  The tug Abeille Normandie and Multratug 35 were standing by the Grande Brasile while the crew attempts to restore power and steering.  No reports of injuries to the 28 crew on board.

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