MORRISBURG – An oil and chemical tanker ran aground early this morning (Tuesday) near the village of Morrisburg.
The Chem Norma got stuck on the side of the shipping channel around 4 a.m. and by 9 a.m. an inspector was on the ship to check for any damage.
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation spokesman Andrew Bogora told Cornwall Newswatch the ship was carrying refined petroleum products.
“All tankers on the Seaway must be double-hulled, which means that they are very sturdy vessels. Even if the outer hull is pierced, the inner hull remains intact, holding the liquid cargo,” Boroga said.
At this point, there is no pollution and the ship has not taken on any water.
As of 12:15 p.m. a Canadian Seaway inspector was completing his inspection.
Once the ship from the Marshall Islands is cleared, it will be escorted by two tugboats.
A steering problem with the ship caused it to run aground, the corporation said.
#CCG Live: We are actively monitoring the double-hulled tanker, Chem Norma, which went aground this morning on the #StLawrenceRiver near Morrisburg, #Ontario. No pollution or water ingress observed. Seaway Inspectors are aboard the ship and navigation on the Seaway has resumed.
— Canadian Coast Guard (@CoastGuardCAN) May 29, 2018