Grounded Bulk Carrier 'Glory Amsterdam' Refloated Off Germany

The salvage tug Fairmount Summit with the bulk carrier Glory Amsterdam aground off Germany, November 1, 2017. Photo: Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies

Two salvage tugs managed to free the Glory Amsterdam Thursday morning four days after the ship aground off Germany during severe weather.

Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies has reported that the ship was freed with help from the tugs Fairmount Summit and Union Manta after about 16,000 tonnes of ballast water was pumped out of the vessel. The agency said both of the ship’s anchors were lost in the operation.

A salvage team from SMIT Salvage has found no damage to the ship’s hull and no pollution has been observed throughout the incident.

The 225-meter, Panama-flagged MV Glory Amsterdam ran aground Sunday evening about 2km Langeoog Island in Germany after dragging anchor in a storm.

All 22 crew members remained on board along with salvage team members throughout the incident.

After the vessel was refloated, three tugs connected to the vessel and towed her to nearby Wilhelmshaven.

You can see our full coverage of the grounding incident HERE.