Cornelia Cleared to Depart Great Lakes after Over a Month in Detention

Germany-based dry bulk operator MST Mineralien Schiffahrt, the owner and operator of the motor vessel Cornelia has reached an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard that will allow the vessel to depart Lake Superior.

The Liberian-flagged cargo vessel has been held in Duluth, Minnesota, for over a month, since November 4, for alleged violations of U.S. law related to the discharge of oily water.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota accepted the case for criminal investigation on November 9, 2015.

As informed, the investigation covers the crew, equipment and records of the Liberian-flagged motor vessel.

The US Coast Guard said earlier that based upon the available information in the investigation, it did not appear that the 2000-built vessel Cornelia discharged the water within the port of Duluth – Superior.

The two parties have been negotiating a security agreement for several weeks to permit the vessel to depart the port while simultaneously protecting the integrity of the investigation and the interests of the vessel’s crew members.

“Now that the agreement is in place to protect the U.S. government’s interests in investigating allegations of environmental crimes, the vessel will start making preparations to depart the Great Lakes before the winter lock closures,” the Coast Guard said in an update.

The ship is expected to set sail on Friday, December 18th.