Ro-ro cargo vessel Kvitbjørn ran aground off Ulsteinvik port, Norway, in the afternoon June 28, while approaching the port.
The vessel, owned by Norway-based Nor Lines, was refloated at 2145 LT same day with the help of tugs at high tide, and taken to port. It is understood, that vessel suffered some damages, but no leak reported.
There were 15 onboard, with no injuries reported. The grounding was caused by mechanical failure, though vessel is brand new.
Kvitbjørn – means White Bear or Polar Bear – is a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled cargo ferry that will provide regular service along the Norwegian west coast and between northern Europe and Norway.
The vessel was built in China at Tsuji Heavy Industries Jiangsu and Nor Lines has a sister vessel, Kvitnos, coming into operation next month from the same yard.
The ship KVITBJORN is a General cargo vessel registered in Faroes.