The Grounded K Line 17,700-gt car carrier Makassar Highway (built 2001) has been refloated and is heading for a port of refuge at Oskarshamn Sweden with plans being drawn up to lighter the vessel of its cargo of 1,325 cars.
The ship grounded off Sweden’s south west coast near Valdemarsvik last week and a prolonged salvage operation was expected.
However, a decision was taken to refloat the vessel with bunkers remaining on board rather than run the risk the hull breaking up in worsening weather conditions on the rocky shoreline.
Dutch salvage company Smit handled the refloating operation and is in charge of the tow.
Some bunker fuel had escaped from the stricken ship and, although this has largely been contained, a shore line cleanup operation is underway. Around 14,000 litres of fuel is reported to have leaked from the vessel.
Fuel oil is still leaking from the Makassar Highway but pollution containment operations are ongoing while the vessel is under tow while the speed is being kept to between 1.5 knots to 2 knots to reduce possibility of further leaks.
The ship’s chief officer was arrested following last week’s grounding.
The vessel is expected to arrive in Oskarshamn today.
