Bulker Refloated after Grounding in Mississippi River
*Crew evacuated from fire-stricken vessel
The Mississippi River has reopened to vessel traffic following the refloating of a UK-flagged bulk carrier which grounded near New Orleans on Friday.
According to a report from the US Coast Guard, 114,248 dwt bulk carrier Anglo Alexandria ran aground in the Lower Mississippi River in the morning hours on Friday.
The incident blocked the navigation channel and closed the river at mile marker 3.5. The USCG on Friday said that over 50 vessels were waiting in queue to transit in or out of the river.
Shortly after the grounding, tugs arrived at the scene to assist the 837-foot bulk carrier, which activated its Vessel Response Plan.
AIS data provided my Marine Traffic shows that Anglo Alexandria is currently anchored.
There were no reports of pollution or injuries following the incident. Relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd has evacuated the crew of the containership Yantian Express after the fire aboard the vessel increased in intensity.
Namely, the shipping firm said that the ship’s crew of 8 officers and 15 seafarers “is unharmed and was safely transferred” to the salvage tug Smit Nicobar on January 5 and 6.
“Due to bad weather conditions, the fire has not been successfully contained yet and has significantly increased in intensity at times,” Hapag-Lloyd said, adding that firefighting support at the site is ongoing.
The fire broke out on January 3 in one container on Yantian Express’ deck and spread to additional containers.
“At this time, it is not possible to make a precise estimate of any damage to Yantian Express or its cargo,” the company continued.
The 7,510 TEU Yantian Express was on its way from Colombo to Halifax via the Suez Canal when the fire started. The ship is currently around 800 nautical miles off the coast of Canada, Nova Scotia, reports World Maritime News.
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