Maersk Containership Grounds in Southern Italy

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Gustav Maersk aground in the Strait of Messina, Italy, January 10, 2017. Photo credit: Italian Coast Guard
A 366-meter-long Maersk Line containership ran aground early Tuesday while transiting the Strait of Messina in Southern Italy.
The Italian Coast Guard says the Denmark-flagged MV Gustav Maersk ran aground overnight near the town of Torre Cavallo.
AIS shows the track of the Maersk Gustav. Credit. MarineTraffic.com
AIS shows the track of the Maersk Gustav. Credit. MarineTraffic.com
The grounding occurred as Gustav Maersk was sailing from Rijeka, Croatia for Gioia Tauro, Italy, according to Maersk’s website.
An inspection of vessel showed no sign that the hull of the ship was breached in the grounding, the Coast Guard said. No pollution has been observed in the area.
The vessel was eventually pulled free with the assistance of three tugs from nearby ports of Messina and Milazzo. It was later escorted the ship to the port of Gioia Tauro, located just to the north.
The video below shows a tug pulling the Gustav Maersk free:
The Coast Guard said that prior to the grounding, the ship was contacted by the Vessel Traffic Service in Messina. 
The cause of grounding is currently under investigation.
AIS shows the Gustav Maersk alongside in Gioia Tauro as of 11 a.m. EST.
Photo: Italian Coast Guard
Photo: Italian Coast Guard

VESSEL INFORMATION

  • Name: GUSTAV MAERSK
  • TEU (Nominal): 9038
  • Built: 14 Oct 2008
  • IMO No.: 9359038
  • Call Sign: OUJK2
  • Class:ABS
  • Flag: Denmark

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