Bulk Carrier Loaded With 45,000 Tons Of Salt Runs Aground In Philadelphia

A Bahamas-registered bulk carrier carrying around 45,000 tons of solar salt ran aground in the Delaware River on January 8, 2025.

The incident happened around 6:30 p.m., about one mile north of Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Bridge, while the ship was heading northbound to Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.

The grounded ship, identified as the 623-foot Algoma Verity, is a Supramax self-unloading bulk carrier with a deadweight capacity of 50,259 metric tons.

It is owned by Canada-based Algoma Central Corporation and operated under the CSL International Pool by Canada Steamship Lines.

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Delaware Bay received the first report of the incident from the pilot aboard the vessel. A response boat from Station Philadelphia was immediately deployed, and an urgent marine broadcast was issued to alert nearby vessels.

As of Thursday afternoon (Jan 9), the vessel remains stuck outside the main shipping channel. Coast Guard officials, along with vessel representatives, are working to assess the situation and develop a plan to refloat the ship and escort it to a terminal for further evaluation.

Officials have confirmed that there have been no injuries or reports of pollution so far.

A restricted zone has been established from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to the Tioga Marine Terminal to ensure safety. Vessels seeking to transit this area must contact the Coast Guard Command Center at least one hour before their movement.

While the grounding took place, a warning was also made at the same time by the National Weather Service about strong northwest winds, which reduce water levels in the river by 2 to 3 feet at low tide.

These lower-than-usual water levels, confirmed by tidal stations in Philadelphia may have contributed to the grounding. However, the cause of the incident is still under investigation.

The Algoma Verity will be inspected for damage before being refloated. The Coast Guard will monitor the situation closely to ensure the vessel’s stability and prevent any environmental or navigational risks.

Reference: CBS News

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