Grounded cargo ship at Karachi Port successfully refloated

Pakistani salvage company Seamax Marine Services has successfully refloated a foreign-flagged cargo vessel that had remained in the Port of Karachi for over a month in the aftermath of a grounding incident.

The Panamanian-flagged deck cargo vessel Heng Tong 77 was finally refloated earlier this month after attempts throughout August were repeatedly hampered by unfavourable weather and rough sea conditions.

Seamax had conducted an initial survey of the distressed ship on July 26, five days after it lost both anchors, suffered engine failure, and ran aground. The company then devised and continually developed a salvage plan with the aid of local subcontractor Ayan Shipbreakers.

Other agencies that rendered support in the salvage effort included the Pakistan Navy, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, the Pakistan Coast Guards, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The grounding occurred while Heng Tong 77 was in Karachi for a brief stop before sailing for Istanbul.

See more stories from this month’s Tug and Salvage Week here.