The containership Ever Forward has been refloated after being aground in the Chesapeake Bay near the Port of Baltimore for more than a month.
After running aground on March 13 while en route from Baltimore to Norfolk, Va., the Hong Kong-registered vessel was freed around 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Following several failed attempts to dredge around and tow out the 1,095-foot-long containership, salvors removed a portion of the nearly 5,000 containers on board to reduce ground force. A team of five tugs and two barges towed the ship free, which was now several hundred containers lighter.
The Ever Forward is being towed to an anchorage off the coast of Annapolis, Maryland, where its hull will be examined for damage.
Removed boxes were transported by barge and unloaded at their original onboarding location, Baltimore’s Seagrit Marine Terminal.
Easter Sunday was good for #EverForward. She has been fred from the shoal and is sailing southbound to the Annapolis anchorage. pic.twitter.com/knlfKznavO
— Sal Mercogliano 🚢⚓🧭🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) April 17, 2022
The 12,000 TEU vessel was carrying a pilot when it ran aground outside of the Craighill Channel, though the cause of the incident is still being investigated. There have been no reports of pollution or injuries.
Evergreen Marine, the ship’s Taiwanese owner, has declared a general average amidst a salvage operation that has become more expensive and complex than anticipated.
