LNG ship grounds

A Hoegh-managed LNG carrier grounded off Puerto Rico on Tuesday morning before being swiftly refloated.

It is not known what caused the 126,540-cbm Matthew (also known as Suez Matthew, built 1979) to ground less than a mile from Cape Caribe near Guayanilla early on Tuesday.

There has been no reported pollution from the Norway-flagged tanker, however, a statement from the US Coast Guard read. There are also no reports of any injuries to the crew.

Matthew.

“Coast Guard Marine Investigators are investigating the cause that led to the grounding,” the statement read.

“Sector San Juan Coast Guard command center controllers were alerted Tuesday morning after receiving a report that the vessel had grounded onto rocks during their inbound transit to Guayanilla,” it continued.

“The vessel was later refloated when the tank ship crew transferred cargo from the vessel’s forward to its aft cargo tanks allowing the vessel to successfully float free.

“The Matthew is now moored at the Eco Electrica facility, where underwater hull integrity assessments are scheduled to be conducted by contract divers.

“Coast Guard marine inspectors and pollution investigators from Regional Inspection Office Ponce and Sector San Juan are providing support on scene. Coast Guard controllers launched an Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico, HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to assist.”

The Newport News-built Matthew is managed and operated by Norway’s Hoegh LNG AS but beneficially owned by Suez North America of the US.

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