8,100-TEU boxship grounds in Dover Strait

8,100-TEU boxship grounds in Dover Strait An 8,100-TEU containership on long-term charter to the Evergreen Group ran aground in the Dover Strait early this morning.
   The 90,465 gross ton LT Cortesia is deployed by Evergreen Line on the weekly China-Europe-Mediterranean (CEM) service and was sailing westbound from Thamesport in the United Kingdom en route to the Suez Canal when it ran aground on the Varne Bank, a large underwater sand bank nine miles south of Dover Harbour.
   The Dover Coastguard sent an emergency towing vessel to assist the stricken German-registered vessel after receiving contact at about 5 a.m. None of the 27 people on board the LT Cortesia were injured and there have been no reports of pollution or damage to the 42,785 tons of cargo.
   The LT Cortesia is owned by the German Conti-Group and managed by its affiliate NSB Niederelbe.