MSC Monica Refloated after Grounding off Saint-Laurent

Transportation Safety Board of Canada The 43,618 dwt container vessel, MSC Monica, which ran aground on the St. Lawrence River near Saint-Laurent, Canada in the morning hours of January 22, was refloated on Saturday, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). Damage to the vessels rudder forced it to move from the fairway and it subsequently grounded in the shallow waters. MSC Monicas crew requested for assistance as the ship was not able to refloat on its own power, and after it was pulled out by three tugs, the 1993-built vessel moored at the Port of Quebec. The incident did not cause any disruption to marine traffic, and no pollution was spotted on the scene, the Canadian Coast Guard said. At the time of the incident the Panama-flagged vessel, owned by the worlds second largest container line Mediterranean Shipping Company, was on its way from Montreal. There were no reports of injuries to the crew. World Maritime News Staff