New Katerina Still Stuck in Suez, Lightering of Cargo Underway

Wikimedia Panamanian-flagged Capesize bulk carrier New Katerina remains aground in the Suez Canal and efforts are underway to lighten the ship so as to remove it from the scene. The ship has sustained considerable damage in its fore part due to the grounding and has reported water ingress with some of its compartments flooded. The Suez Canal Authoritys salvage teams are on the spot and activities are underway to remove some of the ships iron ore cargo, destined for Qingdao, China. Once the cargo is removed, the ship should be towed away from the site so as to allow for resuming of the normal traffic in the canal. Activities are reportedly under way as well to seal the breaches in the hull and make it waterproof again. The traffic in the canal has so far been operational but with certain delays. There were no reports of injuries or pollution. The 1997-built bulk carrier was en route from Yuzhniy, Ukraine to China when it struck an embankment having lost steering gear on Thursday, February 25th. World Maritime News Staff