One of Ocean Network Express’s (ONE’s) operated ships, ONE Orpheus, has restarted its passage through the Suez Canal after a rudder malfunction caused it to knock into a bridge on 6 December.
The 2008-built, 9,040 TEU ONE Orpheus, owned by Japanese tonnage provider Meiji Shipping, departed Singapore on 23 November and was crossing the Suez on its way to Rotterdam, where it was due to arrive on 15 December.
In a spot north of Great Bitter Lake, ONE Orpheus stalled and came into contact with a bridge, holding up all the six vessels behind it. Those ships included an MSC vessel, tankers and gas carriers.
Suez Canal Authority (SCA) officials commanded the affected ships to pause and anchor while four tugs were assigned to refloat the stricken ONE Orpheus.
SCA chairman Ossama Rabiee said that canal traffic was unaffected as vessels heading south transited through their usual course, while northbound traffic was resumed after redirecting southbound vessels from the New Suez Canal to the original Suez Canal simultaneously with the vessel’s salvage operation. The six vessels delayed by the incident have also resumed their sailings.
A spokesperson for ONE said that ONE Orpheus was refloated at 7.30pm local time on 6 December.
The spokesperson said, “The container ship had earlier run aground near the city of Ismailia while transiting the Western Channel en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands. The vessel experienced a momentary loss of steering brought forth by a malfunction, and despite all necessary measures, made contact with the Ahmed Mansy floating bridge, and subsequent grounding.
ONE extends its deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the emergency response, including the Suez Canal Authority, and the crew onboard, who worked tirelessly to free the vessel. All crew are safe and accounted for. There were no reports of pollution or cargo loss.”
Immediately after being refloated, ONE Orpheus was anchored at Port Said Anchorage, to undergo an underwater inspection.
The incident coincides with record crossings through the Suez Canal as ships have begun rerouting from the Panama Canal while the attacks in the Red Sea are threatening shipping movements. In November, a monthly all-time high of 2,264 vessels passed through the canal, up from 2,171 ships in the same month in 2022.