A Norwegian cargo ship Hagland Captain ran aground early Thursday under the Svinesund Bridge, which connects Norway and Sweden. The 2012-built vessel grounded in dense fog around 1 a.m. local time while carrying a load of timber from Porsgrunn to Halden.
The Swedish Coast Guard and Norwegian authorities launched a joint response. Patrol vessels and divers arrived on scene to assess hull damage and prevent pollution. The ship had about 88,000 liters of oil onboard, but no leakage or injuries were reported.
Two salvage tugs refloated the Hagland Captain later in the afternoon during high tide, once the fog cleared. The vessel was then moved to Halden, Norway, for inspection.
Authorities confirmed that all crew members tested negative for alcohol, and no crime is suspected. Officials continue to investigate how the grounding occurred in the narrow strait under the bridge.
