On Tuesday 10 January at 02.43 AM local time, container vessel Gustav Maersk grounded in the Messina Strait, while en route from Rijeka, Croatia, to Gioia Tauro, Italy. Assisted by three tugs the vessel was successfully refloated at 7.30 AM local time and proceeded by own power to Gioia Tauro. All crew is safe and accounted for. No pollution or damage to cargo was reported, Maersk said in its press release.
In Gioia Tauro all cargo is being discharged and repair plans will be made for the vessel. Cargo contingency plans are being made and will be covered within Maersk Line’s existing network. Customers will be directly informed in case of delays.
Initial findings do not indicate that any technical failure caused the incident. Gustav Maersk is a Danish flagged container vessel with a capacity of 9038 TEU (nominal). It is 367 m long and was built in 2008.