K Lines’ 17,700-gt car carrier Makassar Highway (built 2001) ran aground in an archipelago north of the Swedish town of Vastervik on Monday morning.
The Swedish Coastguard confirmed that the ship’s chief officer has been arrested under suspicion of being intoxicated.
The shipowner says the vessel was heading into port at Sodertalije from Cuxhaven in Germany when the incident occurred.
All of the crew are safe and there has been no damage to the cars on board.
However, some oil has leaked from the vessel and its hull has been damaged, K Line said.
The ship remained aground on Tuesday, with the Swedish Coast Guard suggesting that it might take several days to refloat it.
The ship is aground in four metres of water and several salvage companies are bidding for the refloating job.
However, it is understood it is likely that bunkers will have to be removed first before a refloat is attempted.
The Makassar Highway was on a voyage from Cuxhaven to Sodetalje with a cargo of 1,325 vehicles.
This article has been updated following first publication to include fresh details around the officer's arrest and the salvage operation.
