Second Egypt Wheat Ship Stuck in Russia Sails After 3-Week Wait
By Abdel Latif Wahba and Áine Quinn (Bloomberg) — An Egyptian wheat ship has been allowed to sail after waiting three weeks for the correct paperwork, as a dispute between one...
UPDATE: The AMSA has confirmed late Tuesday that their response to the incident has ended after both captains of the MV Akademik Shokalski and Xue Long icebreaker confirmed that they no longer needed assistance. The USCGC Polar Star has also been released and will continue to McMurdo Station as originally planned.
EARLIER:
The Russian expedition vessel MV Akademik Shokalski and the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long have broken free of heavy ice and are making progress towards open water, the AMSA has confirmed.
AMSA reports that the captains of the Akademik Shokalskiy and Xue Long notified the Australian RCC that they had cleared the heaviest ice on Tuesday at approximately 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. AEDT, respectively, after shifting ice formed cracks around the vessels.
The Xue Long was one of two icebreakers assisting the MV Akademik Shokalskiy after it became beset by ice on December 24, 2013 with 52 passengers, mostly scientists and tourists, and 22 crew. The passengers had just been rescued by the Xue Long’s helicopter on January 2nd and transferred to the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis when the Xue Long also became stuck in the ice floe.
The Aurora Australis was put on standby for a short period after the vessel became stuck, but was eventually released. The Xue Long later requested assistance from the U.S. icebreaker USCGC Polar Star. The AMSA report says that the USCGC Polar Star will continue to head towards the area until both vessels have given the all clear.
The crew of the Akademik Shokalskiy remains onboard the vessel.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,914 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign UpMaritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,914 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up