Tug Takes Drifting Cargo Ship Thorco Lineage Under Tow

Thorco Lineage under tow to Papeete in French Polynesia. Photo: Marine National

The adrift M/V Thorco Lineage has been taken under tow in French Polynesia after a week-long ordeal. 

According to officials, the tugboat Aito Nui arrived from Papeete on Thursday and was able to connect a tow line to the Thorco Lineage.

The vessels are now underway to Papeete where they are expected to arrive later this week.

The Philippines-flagged Thorco Lineage was underway from Baltimore, Maryland to Hobart, Australia when it experienced engine trouble and drifted aground on June 23 on the northern end of Raroia Atoll, part of the Tuamotus chain.

Thorco Lineage was refloated by the French multi-mission vessel Bougainville a few days later, but shortly afterward the tow line parted the cargo ship was once again adrift. 

All 18 crew members remain on board the Thorco Lineage and are reported safe. 

The Bougainville has remained on scene to monitor the vessel and now the tow to Papeete.

The M/V Thorco Lineage is operated by Danish shipping company Thorco Projects. The ship was built in 2014 and has a deadweight of 16,949 tonnes.

No pollution has been reported as a result of the incident.

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