Maltese Boxship Grounds off New Caledonia

The newly-built Maltese-flagged containership Kea Trader ran aground today off New Caledonia, the ship’s AIS data shows.

The boxship hit the Durand Reef, some 100 kilometres southeast of the island of Mare.

The 18 crew members on board have not been injured in the incident, and there have been no visible traces or reports of any immediate pollution from the vessel, according to the ship’s owner Lomar Shipping.

Based on the ship’s vessel tracking data, Kea Trader was en route from Papeete port in French Polynesia to the Port of Noumea, New Caledonia.

“The situation is currently stable and the weather forecast is good for the coming days,” the company said.

Lomar added that it has activated its emergency response centre and was coordinating with all relevant authorities and organisations.

A salvage team has been sent to the site and is providing support.

“We are grateful for the rapid help and support that has been given since the vessel ran aground. We are currently working with the authorities and other industry experts to determine when and how the vessel is to be re-floated,” a spokesman from Lomar told World Maritime News.

The cause of the grounding is yet to be disclosed.

“An internal company investigation will work alongside the official inquiry to thoroughly examine this incident,” the company added.

The 2, 194 TEU Subpanamax boxship, constructed by China’s Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in 2017, is chartered by Seatrade Groningen as of June 7, 2017, VesselsValue data shows.

World Maritime News Staff