The 18,900 TEU CSCL Indian Ocean has been refloated in the Elbe River and has continued her journey to the Port of Hamburg.

Fuel and ballast had to be pumped off the ship in order to reduce its weight, according to the port. Dredgers and water jets were also involved.

A total of 12 tugs were used in the operation, which was jointly carried out by the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, the Federal Water and Shipping Administration, salvage companies, the owners and Elbe pilots. The refloating was also helped by the higher-than-normal tide.

“Once again we have seen that in this special situation on the Elbe, all emergency services worked very professionally and effectively together, making the Elbe very safe pilotage waters,” said Ben Lodemann, chairman of the Lotsenbrüderschaft Elbe pilot association.

The container vessel ran encountered a steering failure on February 3 and ran aground at Lühesand, a small island in the Elbe approximately 25km from the Port of Hamburg. Pilots manoeuvred the ship to the north side of the fairway to avoid disruption to the navigation channel.