SCA Tugboats Successfully Refloat Grounded Bulk Carrier XIN TIAN YUAN In Suez Canal

Imagt Credis: Suez Canal
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has refloated the bulk carrier XIN TIAN YUAN after it ran aground in the Suez Canal due to a technical problem with its rudder on 2 April 2026.
The vessel got into trouble at kilometre 87 while sailing with the northbound convoy on its way from Denmark to Singapore.
Once the Main Navigation Control Center received the alert, four SCA tugboats were sent to the location to handle the situation.
The Panama-flagged ship is 225 metres long, has a beam of 32.2 metres, and a tonnage of about 41,000 tonnes. The tugboats carried out towing operations to pull the vessel off the ground and guide it back into position.
According to SCA Chairman Ossama Rabiee, the operation was completed by 4:00 p.m. the same day. The work was managed with support from the Crisis Management Committee along with the Transit Department, Shipyards Department, and the maritime salvage team.
Tugboats were used based on their pulling power and planned calculations to make sure the job was done safely.
Imagt Credis: Suez Canal
The tugboat Azm 2, one of the newest in the SCA fleet with a bollard pull of 90 tonnes, was used in a salvage operation for the first time and assisted in the towing work.
After being refloated, the vessel was taken to the Great Bitter Lakes for inspection. The crew had fixed the technical issue, and further checks are being carried out to confirm the vessel is safe to continue its journey. It is expected to rejoin the convoy after clearance.
The SCA said traffic from the southern side of the canal was not affected. Movement of the northbound convoy will continue once the vessel completes inspection.
The authority added that it handled the situation using its usual emergency procedures and has the required teams and equipment to deal with such cases.
On the same day, 50 ships passed through the canal from both directions, with a total net tonnage of 2.2 million tonnes, and traffic continued without major disruption.
Reference: Suez Canal