“K” Line car carrier runs aground

The Makassar Highway ran aground Tuesday while en route to the Port of Södertälje in Sweden.

   Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (“K” Line) said Tuesday the Makassar Highway ran aground offshore from Sweden Monday at 7:21 a.m. local time.
   The Panama-flagged vehicle carrier’s 18 Polish crew members are safe and no cargo onboard is damaged, although the carrier’s hull experienced some damage.
   The Makassar Highway was on the way to the Port of Södertälje from the Port of Cuxhaven in Germany when it ran aground, according to “K” Line.
   The vessel had an ETA to the Port of Södertälje on Monday, but it is now delayed until Thursday due to the grounding, Port of Sodertalje Managing Director Robert Tingvall told American Shipper .
   According to the Maritime Bulletin, there were 1,325 cars onboard.
   “K” Line said, “The details of the incident, including oil leakage, are currently under investigation and will be updated.”