(With videos) CSCL Indian Ocean, one of the world´s largest containerships was grounded on the river Elbe last week and subsequently successfully refloated.
The vessel was said to have grounded after losing control of its rudder due to a technical failure.
Refloating Operation with Twelve Tug Boats
The refloating operation, led by Smit Salvage, Kotug Offshore and local authorities, took place in the early morning of 9 February during the spring tide and involved twelve tug boats.
The preparations before refloating included taking off bunker fuel and ballast water, as well as dredging of the river bottom around the vessel and deepening of the channel alongside the ship.
After it was refloated, the 18.890 teu CSCL Indian Ocean was towed to safe depth and berthed at its initial destination, the Port of Hamburg.
The videos below (by Inselvideo and Hamburger Alsterwasser) show the refloating operation.
Picture: The CSCL Indian Ocean grounded (by Frank Schwichtenberg).
