A cargo vessel from Egypt carrying rock phosphate to a private company in Tuticorin that ran aground near the VOC port on Saturday was salvaged on Sunday.
The bulk carrier named ‘Genco Predator’ sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands departed from the port of Safaga in Egypt and reached the VOC port on December 6. The vessel has carrying capacity of 55,407 metric tonnes and it is 189.9m long and 32.26m wide. The vessel was loaded with 54,320 metric tonnes of rock phosphate and was bound for the VOC port with a crew of 20 Filipino sailors.
When the vessel attempted to enter into the port for unloading the cargo on Saturday, she ran aground five nautical miles off the port. As the ship was unable to move from there, the port entrance channel was blocked though there was no problem for the ships departing from the port. The VOC port deployed tugboats to salvage the vessel.
With continuous efforts from Saturday, the stranded vessel was finally salvaged on Sunday morning, an official said. She was moved to the outer anchorage. The port authorities said Genco Predator would be allowed to enter the port during high tides for unloading the cargo.