Grounded MSC containership finally freed

The Port of Gioia Tauro in Italy has resumed operations after stranded MSC Elaine was successfully refloated.

Local authorities said operations to secure the vessel at the mooring are still underway, but the ship was freed from the ground at around 8.00 am on 10 January.

The Panama-flagged 8,566 TEU vessel was about to leave the port to reach Malta on 9 January when it ran aground halting all port operations.

Five tugboats have worked throughout the night to refloat the ship.

The Italian Coast Guard confirmed “the port entrance is no longer obstructed by the large containership”.

“Paradoxically [rescue operations] benefitted from the bad weather conditions and the force of the wind, which – together with all the port tugs – provided the merchant vessel with a further push to ‘break free’ from the breakwater barrier of the port.”

Considering current weather conditions, the ship may reach the mooring dock this afternoon according to local authorities, and will then undergo all necessary technical checks.

An investigation by the Port Authority of Gioia Tauro is also underway to ascertain the cause of the incident.