Cargo Vessel Sommen Grounds Twice in Kiel Canal Transit

On February 5, the general cargo ship Sommen encountered two separate grounding incidents while navigating through Germany’s Kiel Canal. Tugboats were dispatched to assist the vessel.

The first grounding happened at approximately 2:08 AM local time near Oldenbüttel. While en route from Aveiro, Portugal, Sommen experienced an electrical malfunction, causing it to drift off course and run aground on the southern embankment. The crew managed to resolve the issue, allowing the ship to continue its journey.

Later, at around 6:05 AM near Rendsburg, the vessel suffered an engine failure, leading to a second grounding along the southern embankment.

Authorities quickly responded, deploying the tug Holtenau to provide assistance. By late morning, the tug successfully refloated the cargo ship and towed it to a quay in Kiel for further examination.

No injuries or environmental pollution were reported. On February 6, the Portugal-flagged Sommen resumed its journey and reached Koege Anchorage in Denmark.