MOL Charisma out of service for repairs after grounding

The 2007-built MOL Charisma deployed on Ocean Network Express’ (ONE) East Coast 5 service ran aground on 5 July while sailing from Vung Tau, Vietnam to Singapore. The vessel was successfully refloated and has since returned to Vung Tau.

“Based on initial survey assessment, the vessel requires repair and is unable to continue her intended voyage in EC5 service,” ONE said in a customer advisory.

The MOL Charisma is now set to berth in Vung Tau around 15 July to offload its cargo for onward shipment on other vessels.

“All affected cargo will be placed on alternative connecting services from the port of Cai Mep to their intended destinations. More details on the cargo arrangement will be advised once information is available,” the shipping line said.

The removal of the MOL Charisma from service comes at a time when capacity is at a premium in container shipping with vessels sailing full, and almost no additional capacity available in the charter market.

In September last year the MOL Charisma suffered a cargo fire off Sri Lanka.