In the early hours of Sunday, May 25, 2025, a bulk carrier stretching 93 meters, loaded with scrap metal, ran aground near Klagshamn in southern Oresund, Sweden. The incident occurred around 2:30 AM while the vessel was navigating the fairway heading north.
According to the Swedish Coast Guard, the ship is currently stuck, with large sections of its hull in contact with the sandy and stony seabed. An initial investigation has been initiated regarding possible gross negligence in maritime traffic and potential alcohol use on board.
Fortunately, the vessel has not taken on any water in its cargo holds. However, one of its ballast tanks, which helps maintain the ship's balance, has been filled with water due to the grounding. Despite this, the ship remains otherwise operational.
There are approximately 69,000 liters of diesel fuel on board. So far, no signs of oil have been detected in the surrounding water, and the Coast Guard has confirmed that there are currently no indications of a spill. They cautioned, however, that the risk of oil leakage could increase during recovery efforts.
The vessel is grounded close to the green area, but maritime traffic in the vicinity has not been impacted. Personnel from the Coast Guard vessel KBV 314, along with representatives from the Swedish Transport Agency, boarded the grounded ship shortly after the incident to commence investigative procedures.
Aerial surveillance was planned for 11:30 AM on Sunday to help detect any potential oil leaks from above. However, poor weather conditions later that day prevented Coast Guard divers from inspecting the hull and the seabed immediately. These inspections are crucial for assessing damage and planning for salvage operations.
On May 26, divers carried out underwater surveys which confirmed that the ship is firmly grounded and that the hull has sustained damage. The Coast Guard announced that they are maintaining a continuous presence at the site and have initiated an environmental response operation as a precaution. Equipment and personnel are ready to act should the situation deteriorate or if oil begins to leak.
One crew member has been arrested, suspected of gross negligence in maritime traffic, and is under investigation for possible alcohol involvement. This individual was taken off the ship following a directive from the public prosecutor, who is now leading the investigation.
A salvage plan must be created before any recovery attempts can commence. This plan needs to be developed by the ship's owner and the specific salvage company, then approved by both the Swedish Transport Agency and the Coast Guard. As of now, no timeline has been provided regarding when the ship might be refloated or moved.
Reference: Swedish Coast Guard
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