Swedish Coast Guard Refloats MV Victoria

Swedish Coast Guard refloated MV Victoria on Saturday evening, September 26, ending the week-long efforts to set the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier free after it ran aground at Fladen, some 15 nautical miles from Varberg in the evening hours of September 19.

The 46,000 dwt MV Victoria was towed outside the Port of Halmstad where it is currently anchored and waiting to undergo further inspections. The vessel reportedly has propulsion, but has suffered a steering failure.

Last week’s inspection to the vessel’s hull revealed a 3-meter tear, but no oil spills.

Around 977,000 liters of heavy fuel oil and some of the cargo was discharged from MV Victoria before the refloating.

The ship, loaded with wheat, was en route from Rostock in Germany to Guinea, West Africa when it got stuck on a shoal.

The inspectors in Halmstad will today decide if the vessel is seaworthy and able to continue its journey to West Africa.

World Maritime News Staff; Images: Swedish Coast Guard