An 80-meter-long cargo ship named Baltic Arrow got stuck in the River Nene near Wisbech, reminiscent of the infamous 2021 Suez Canal blockage. The vessel, en route from Riga to Wisbech with a timber cargo, ran aground due to the tide receding while in contact with the riverbank. Efforts to refloat the ship at the next high tide are scheduled for the evening with officials assuring no long-term issues.
An 80-meter-long cargo ship named Baltic Arrow became stuck in the River Nene near Wisbech on Tuesday morning, mirroring the 2021 Suez Canal blockage. En route from Riga, Latvia to Wisbech with a timber cargo, the vessel ran aground around 9am. The ship, under the St Kitts and Nevis flag, had six crew members and two local pilots aboard, with no reported injuries or damage.
The grounding, described as a “rare situation,” occurred likely due to the tide receding while part of the vessel was in contact with the riverbank, according to a Wisbech port spokesperson. Efforts initially made to free the vessel using a tug boat were unsuccessful. The plan is to refloat the vessel at the next high tide, scheduled around 8pm.
All berths at Wisbech port are NAABSA (Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground), meaning that vessels safely ground during low water. Officials are confident of no long-term issues due to the riverbed’s soft and sludgy nature. A full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the grounding.
