A tanker has run aground, after it collided with a bulk carrier, on Wednesday morning, off port of Antwerp.
The incident took place while the 40,600 dwt tanker Seatrout, operated by German Tanker Shipping, was sailing on the Scheldt river, in the same direction with the bulk carrier Usolie. The tanker was en route from Antwerp to Ust-Luga, Russia, not carrying cargo at the time.
The bulker has no visible damage and headed to the Wielingen at Vlissingen for inspection, but the tanker is still stuck, local media reported.
Currently, four tugs are on the scene, trying to unload the ship. The first refloating attempt failed, but another will be made in the afternoon.
During attempts, shipping will be fully disabled between 14:00 and 16:15. At present, sailing is banned for ships longer than 200 meters, the port announced. Ships smaller than 200 meters can simply use the shipping route.
The 17 crew members of the tanker are unharmed aboard and there is no impact to the environment.
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Update
Later the same day, the ship was refloated by six tugs and then towed to Vlissingen, the Netherlands, in order to be inspected. The extent of damage is yet unknown.
