Hawaii grounding

A German-controlled bulker has run aground off a Hawaiian island, blocking access to Oahu's port of Kalaeloa Barbers Point, the US Coast Guard said Friday.

The 72,200-dwt Vogetrader (built 1996) grounded near the entrance channel to the port's harbour Friday morning. There were no reported injuries.

The Vogetrader

The Coast Guard says the vessel's agent has hired four tugs to attempt to re-float the Liberian-flagged bulker. State, county and federal agencies also are on scene.

Coast Guard Cmdr Bob McFarland says in a statement that the parties are working together to mitigate the threat of pollution.

Although the ship is not blocking the channel, the salvage operation is preventing vessels from entering or leaving the harbour.

The Vogetrader is controlled by H Vogemann, a Hamburg-based company with a fleet of 20 bulkers, two products tankers and 14 newbuildings.

The Germanischer Lloyd-classed bulker has protection-and-indemnity insurance from Gard.

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