2,015-TEU Songa Iridium engine fails, runs aground, blocks Bosphorus
THE 2,015-TEU Songa Iridium owned by Oslo-based Arne Blystad's Songa Container ran aground, leading to the suspension of shipping through the Bosphorus Strait, reports Singapore's Splash 247. The 2008-built box ship ran ashore near Rumelihisari, after suffering an engine failure while transiting the Bosphorus having departed Odessa on the evening of December 25. The incident led to the temporary closure of the strait. No pollution or injuries to the crew of 19 were reported. Songa Iridium was detained in Turkey last month according to Equasis, which shows the vessel was inspected at Ambarli, Turkey on November 27 and detained with five deficiencies, including problems with the main engine.