Maersk has confirmed that its 2018-built Mumbai Maersk has run aground near the Port of Bremerhaven in Germany on 2 February at around 23:00 (Central Europe Time – CET).
All the crew members of the 20,000 TEU vessel are safe and there is no sea or environmental pollution, according to Maersk, which also stated that “there is no sign of hull breach”.
The 400-metre-long vessel was en route from the Port of Rotterdam to Bremerhaven, when it became stuck approximately six kilometres north of the East Frisian Island of Wangerooge.
A first attempt to tow the container ship into deeper water on 3 February in the morning by two multi-purpose vessels and five tugs failed.
The Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) is on ground on a shallow patch and the entrance to the port is not obstructed, according to the Danish shipping company, while the reasons for the incident have not been known yet.
“Extra tugs are being deployed and a new attempt to free Mumbai Maersk is expected later today,” said Maersk in the latest update.
Mumbai Maersk is deployed on 2M Alliance’s AE5/Albatross. Maersk’s alliance partner, MSC said that as a result of the incident, cargo meant to be discharged in Bremerhaven is still onboard, along with cargo destined for the Scandinavian destinations such as Aarhus and Gothenburg.
