Update: Höegh Osaka Starts Cargo Discharge

Business & Finance

January 28, 2015

Discharge of cargo from car carrier Höegh Osaka started on Tuesday, January 27th, the vessel’s owner Höegh Autoliners informed.

The discharge is expected to continue over the few next days. The cargo in question includes more than 1,400 Land Rovers, Minis and Jaguars.

As inspections by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found, there are only minor damages to the vessel.

Grounded car carrier Hoegh Osaka, loaded with millions of dollars worth of cars, was handed back to its owner on Friday, January 23rd after 19 days of salvage activities that saw the vessel finally towed to the Port of Southampton on Thursday, January 22nd.

All cargo, apart from some large units on the main deck, is said to be held by their lashings.

As there has been water ingress to the lower car decks, due to the list of the vessel, the company said that “a limited number of vehicles on these decks have been affected by the water ingress”.

“It is still too early to say more about the status of the cargo. Once the vehicles have been landed, proper cargo surveys will take place by the cargo owners and their surveyors,” the owner added.

The vessel grounded on the Bramble Bank in the Solent, January 3, having departed from Southampton for Bremerhaven, Germany.

Image: MCA