Containership MSC Kim Breaks Down in Gulf of St. Lawrence

The Canadian Coast Guard has been monitoring an adrift containership with engine trouble in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Wednesay.

The ship, MSC Kim, broke down off Port au Port in Newfoundland and Labrador. No injuries or pollution have been reported.

The ship is now confirmed to be under tow.

The Canadian Coast Guard heavy icebreak Terry Fox had been conducting icebreaking to allow a towing vessel to depart Stephenville harbor.

The last AIS broadcast from the vessel, transmitted more than two days ago, showed MSC Kim as “Not Under Command” and drifting at 0.4 knots.

The 265-meter-long MSC Kim is flagged in Panama and has 4,254 TEU capacity. AIS shows the ship on a voyage from from Halifax to Montreal.

“Our #EnvironmentalResponse specialists are in contact with the owner to ensure they have a response plan in place in the event that pollution would occur. We will continue to monitor the MSC Kim and the tow vessel until any threat to the environment has passed. #SafetyFirst,” the Canadian Coast Guard said in a Twitter update.

Halifax Shipping News reported this morning that the towing vessel Atlantic Kingfisher has taken MSC Kim under tow to Sydney, Nova Scotia, which was later confirmed by the Canadian Coast Guard.