Greek Capesize and Maersk Boxship Mishap in Suez Canal
The Danish container ship Susan Maersk has collided with the container ship Margret Oldendorff flying the Libyan flag.
The 347 meter long, 110387 dwt container ship Susan Maersk and the 300 meter long, 208086 dwt bulk carrier Margret Oldendorff ran aground on the Suez Canal near the 94 kilometer mark.
Both vessels were proceeding northbound in dense fog when both vessels grounded onto a sandbank. The Susan Maersk was undamaged, but the Margret Oldendorff was holed above the waterline. No reports of injuries or pollution on either vessel.
Maersk, the largest shipping line in the world, said the vessel remained seaworthy and was waiting to be pulled off the bank at the time, however, that process was completed at the time of writing.
Margaret Oldendorff was reported to have a small hull fracture above the water's surface which did not prevent it from continuing its journey, but neither the shipping line nor Maersk has addressed those reports.
Both vessels were able to be refloated a short time later and continue on their voyage. Traffic on the canal was halted for several hours.
The Susan Maersk was en route to Barcelona from Tanjung Pelepas. The Margret Oldendorff was travelling from Richards Bay, South Africa.
The Suez Canal is one of the world's most strategic waterways, with much of the maritime trade between Europe and Asia transiting through it.
