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Southampton ‘not affected by Hoegh grounding’

[ January 5, 2015   //   ]

ABP Southampton says that the port is open for business and operations are unaffected by the grounding of the Hoegh Osaka on Saturday evening. The 41,000-tonne pure car and truck carrier was deliberately run onto sandbanks at Bramble Bank close to the Isle of Wight after the vessel developed a severe list shortly after departing Southampton. The stranded ship is currently being assessed by salvage firm Svitzer.

According to media reports, the ship had about 1,400 cars – including 1,200 from Jaguar Land Rover – and 70 to 80 trucks and other wheeled equipment on board, along with 500 tonnes of fuel on board, mostly marine diesel oil, which is not reported to have leaked from the vessel.

Chief executive of Hoegh Autoliners, Ingar Skiaker paid tribute to the crew’s skill and seamanship in managing to ground the vessel. As well as reducing the danger to the crew and easing the task of salvaging the ship and its cargo, the fact that she ship was grounded rather than being allowed to capsize in the approaches to one of the UK’s busiest ports has greatly reduced the potential for disruption to trade.

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