Boxship Giant Grounds on the Elbe River

The 184,320 dwt containership CSCL Indian Ocean, one of the world’s biggest boxships, grounded on the Elbe river in Hamburg in the evening hours of February 3, according to the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration.

The exact cause of the incident has not been confirmed, however, a possible malfunction in the navigational system or a blackout could be the culprit.

Five tugs, which were sent to free the 400-meter-long giant last night, failed in their attempt and the authorities will try to free the vessel again during the day.

Carrying almost 19,000 containers, the 2015-built CSCL Indian Ocean, owned by the Shanghai-based China Shipping Container Lines, was on its way from Felixstowe to Hamburg at the time of the incident.

There were no reports of injuries to the crew, and no pollution was spotted in the area.

World Maritime News Staff