The grounding of a bulker owned by Norden has temporarily closed a crucial shipping channel for Argentine soyabean exports.
A Norden representative confirmed to IHS Maritime that the 2014-built, 77,134 dwt Panamax Nord Hydra, which is on long-term charter, went aground at 1940 on 18 May. “The ship is in laden condition, bound for San Nicolas with 46,354 tonnes of coal and was transiting with a pilot on board,” said the representative, noting that the owner had requested tug assistance.
According to shipping agency Alpemar, Nord Hydra went aground at 290 km from Buenos Aires on the Parana River, obstructing the main navigation channel. The channel is used to ship soyabeans from the port of Rosario to global buyers. Earlier this month, the Rosario Board of Trade predicted a strong soyabean harvest, which should total 59.6 million tonnes.
The grounding of the Nord Hydra comes soon after another grounding in the same channel, involving the Keishin Kaiun Co-owned, 61,446 dwt Bulk Guatemala. That vessel grounded on 13 May. It was refloated and the channel was reopened on 14 May, according to Alpemar.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.