Freighter Runs Aground In Cuyahoga River, Blocks Traffic For Several Hours

A 406-foot foreign-flagged freighter named SUNNANVIK got stuck near the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, in the early hours of Friday, June 20, after it hit a boardwalk while trying to reverse into a dock.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. as the vessel, carrying about 3,500 tons of cement dust, was backing into a berth at the Ontario Stone Company dock located on the river’s west bank. While doing so, it struck the boardwalk behind popular bars like “I Hate Cowboys,” “Welcome to the Farm,” and “Forward,” and became wedged between the east and west banks of the river.

The grounding blocked the narrow waterway and stopped river traffic for several hours. The freighter, which is operated by Canada Steamship Lines and owned by a company based in Montreal, remained stuck about 25 feet from nearby buildings.

The U.S. Coast Guard received the initial report at 12:43 a.m. and dispatched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Cleveland Harbor. The crew reached the scene and created a security zone around the grounded vessel.

Great Lakes Towing Company responded quickly by sending two tugboats. The tug NEW YORK arrived at around 2:30 a.m., followed by the WISCONSIN, which reached the location at about 4:50 a.m.

Hey, you can’t park there… A cement freighter from Canada is currently wedged in the Cuyahoga River outside the windows of I Hate Cowboys on the East Bank of the Flats. If you’re planning on using the river today you might need a different plan… pic.twitter.com/h36yo5CVz6

— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) June 20, 2025

Video Credits: Mike Vielhaber/X

The crews managed to refloat the SUNNANVIK shortly before 6 a.m. The freighter then moved a few hundred yards to the concrete dock where it had originally been headed.

A Coast Guard spokesperson compared the tugboats to “mini muscle machines” for their role in freeing the large ship. Gregg Thauvette, Executive Vice President of Operations at Great Lakes Towing Company, said their team is always ready to respond quickly to protect the safety and flow of water traffic, even during unexpected emergencies.

No injuries or pollution was reported during the grounding. The Coast Guard confirmed that none of the cement cargo spilled into the river. After a brief inspection of the vessel and the surrounding area, the SUNNANVIK was cleared to stay at the dock.

However, investigators from the Coast Guard have classified the case as a “serious marine incident,” estimating damage to the ship and the boardwalk at over $250,000. They instructed the vessel to remain in port while the captain and crew were interviewed.

According to a Coast Guard spokesperson, the captain shared that this was only his second time navigating the Cuyahoga River. While trying to reverse into an area known as the “Old River,” he faced stronger-than-expected currents, likely caused by recent heavy rains.

The traffic resumed shortly after the freighter was freed. Once the investigation is complete, the SUNNANVIK will be allowed to continue its journey to its next stop in Bath, Ontario.

References: USCG, news5cleveland

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