Container Ship Sky Challenge Anchored in Busan After Grounding

A container ship operated by CK Line, named Sky Challenge, remains anchored in Busan after running aground on July 28.

According to the Korea Coast Guard, the 1,900 TEU vessel collided with a breakwater at 2:05 am local time while attempting to dock, resulting in the vessel becoming grounded.

Vessel-tracking data indicates that the Sky Challenge had recently been refueled in the South Korean port. Although the Korea Coast Guard did not initially disclose the ship's name, they confirmed it is Panama-flagged with a gross tonnage of 20,738, matching the description of the Sky Challenge.

Data from EconDB shows that the Sky Challenge is one of three vessels operating on the NKT service, which connects ports including Busan, Gwangyang, Incheon, Ho Chi Minh City, Laem Chabang, Bangkok, Mawan, and Hong Kong.

The Korea Coast Guard reported that all 18 crew members on the Sky Challenge were rescued without injury, and there was no fuel oil leakage into the sea. The vessel was successfully lifted off the breakwater by the coast guard at 7:40 am the same day.

The ship had been scheduled to sail to Hong Kong after loading and unloading containers in Busan. The Korea Coast Guard is currently investigating the cause of the incident.