Bulk carrier Mineral Faith ran aground in the Suez Canal at km mark 101 on August 25th at around 2:30 p.m local time.
According to reports the vessel was aground in the Canal for three days hampering the ship’s traffic.
As of midday of August 29th, the cargo vessel was still in the same position. Four tugs were dispatched at the location, engaged in the salvage operation.
The bulk carrier Mineral Faith was en route from Narvik to Suez loaded with iron ore.
Photo footage shows the stranded cargo vessel, tilted in one side most probably for ease refloating.
The 175620-dwt bulker Mineral Faith is built 2012 by JINHAI HEAVY INDUSTRY CO. LTD. The Hong-Kong registered vessel is owned and managed by BOCIMAR INTERNATIONAL N.V.
The grounding of the bulker is the first reported incident since the opening of an expanded section of the waterway that allows traffic in both directions.
The new passage areas of the important cargo gateway was officially opened on August 6. The expansion of the Canal aims to give a chance to larger vessels to transit the waterway, reduce wait and transit times, as well as overall trip cost in an effort to make the Suez a more attractive option in advance of the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, scheduled for the next year.