Bulk carrier successfully refloated after grounding in Suez Canal

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced that its salvage tugboats successfully refloated the bulk carrier XIN TIAN YUAN after it ran aground due to a rudder-related technical failure while transiting the canal on 2 April 2026.

The incident occurred at kilometer 87 in the canal during the northbound convoy from Denmark to Singapore. The Panama-flagged vessel measures 225 meters in length, 32.2 meters in beam, and has a tonnage of around 41,000 tons. According to SCA Chairman Adm. Ossama Rabiee, four SCA tugboats were immediately deployed following alerts from the Main Navigation Control Center.

The coordinated salvage operation, supported by the Crisis Management Committee and multiple SCA departments, successfully freed the vessel at around 4:00 p.m. local time.

After refloating, the vessel was escorted to the Great Bitter Lakes for inspection after its crew reportedly resolved the technical malfunction. Authorities confirmed that navigation from the southern direction was unaffected, while northbound convoy movement is set to resume once safety checks are completed.

The SCA emphasized that the operation demonstrated its readiness to handle maritime emergencies efficiently, ensuring the continued safety and smooth flow of traffic through the canal.

source : safety4sea.