AP Moeller-Maersk container ship towed free after running aground outside German Port

A.P. Moeller-Maersk said Friday that one of its container vessels that ran aground just outside the German port of Bremerhaven has been refloated.

The Mumbai Maersk, which had been on route from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Bremerhaven, ran aground while approaching the port late on Wednesday.

Two multipurpose vessels and five tugboats had tried to tow Mumbai Maersk into deeper water in the early hours of Thursday but were unsuccessful, Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said at the time.

However, a second attempt involving eight vessels in the early hours of Friday morning was successful, the command said in a statement.

Maersk reported Thursday that all crew were safe, with no pollution and no signs of a hull breach. It said in a tweet Friday that Mumbai Maersk is now waiting at a safe position for further hull and machinery assessments before it is expected to continue its voyage.

An internal investigation into the cause of the grounding will be taking place, Maersk added.

Credit: MarketWatch