The 2500 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Macuti, owned by the Mozambican Dredging Comoany (Emodraga), collided with a cargo ship in the Port of Beira access channel on Monday.
The cargo ship, a Panama-registered container vessel, was leaving Beira and heading to the Port of Durban, according to the AllAfrica Global Media.
A local television station reported that the hull of the Macuti was badly damaged in the collision and water began pouring into the vessel.
A team formed by staff from Emodraga, the Mozambique Port and Rail Company (CFM), the National Naval Institute (INAMAR) and the Beira Maritime Administration worked to refloat the dredge, and prevent it from sinking.
Access to the Port of Beira reopens
Navigation in the access channel to the Port of Beira has resumed after removal of the Macuti, according to the provincial director for Transport and Communications of Mozambique’s Sofala province, Hélcio Canda.
The investigation to determine the real causes of the accident is ongoing.
The channel dredging operations will now be conducted by using the Aruângua and Alcantara Santos dredgers.
[mappress mapid=”22620″]