CSCL Indian Ocean Finally Freed, Bound for Hamburg

Mega containership CSCL Indian Ocean which has been stranded in the river Elbe for days has finally been freed by German maritime authorities.

Namely, the salvage operation was launched at 2am today by a fleet of 12 tugs of the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME), which shortly after managed to tow the ship’s stern off the bank.

The 12 tugboats have a total bollard pull of 1085 tons on scene, which was deemed enough to pull free the 2015-built vessel, one of the world’s biggest boxships.

The on-scene-coordinator of CCME and the salvage experts of the shipping company remained on the bridge of the CSCL Indian Ocean during the towing-attempt.

Once the boxship was freed the tugs started to reposition the ship for towing to Hamburg Port. The salvage authorities have also tested the vessel’s operation systems which are reported to be running fine, with the ruder in full operation.

The containership will now be towed to Hamburg Port by 5 tugs.

The salvage teams launched the towing operation having lightened the ship for around 6506 tons, mainly fuel and ballast water.

Additionally, dredgers have removed about 45000m³ of ground, especially along the whole starboard side, at the stern and the bow to help free the 184,320 dwt boxship.

CSCL Indian Ocean, owned by Shanghai-based China Shipping Container Lines, grounded on the Elbe river in Hamburg on February 3 due to a failure in the navigation system.

There were no injuries to the vessel’s crew and no pollution was reported in the area.