Cargo Ship Runs Aground in Delaware River Near Philadelphia

Cargo Ship Runs Aground in Delaware River Near Philadelphia

A massive cargo ship carrying approximately 45,000 tons of solar salt ran aground in the Delaware River near Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood on Wednesday evening, January 8, 2025.

The 623-foot Algoma Verity, sailing under the flag of the Bahamas, had departed northbound from the Port of Philadelphia en route to Fairless Hills, Bucks County, before the incident occurred.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the grounding happened around 6:30 p.m. “Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders received a report from the pilot aboard the Algoma Verity stating the vessel had run aground with no injuries in the Delaware River,” the Coast Guard said in a Thursday news release.

The ship remains stuck outside the main shipping channel near Penn Treaty Park, roughly a mile north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

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As of Thursday at 6:30PM, MarineTraffic.com listed the vessel’s status as “not under command,” with several tugboats nearly by trying to assist. 

On a ship, the phrase “Not Under Command” (NUC) is a maritime term defined in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). It means that the ship is unable to maneuver as required by the rules because of exceptional circumstances, such as a mechanical failure, loss of steering, or other situations that prevent it from controlling its movement.

A Coast Guard 29-foot Response Boat-Small from Station Philadelphia responded to the scene, alongside representatives from the vessel.

“A team from Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay and the vessel’s representatives are on board monitoring the situation and formulating a plan to safely move the vessel to a nearby terminal,” the Coast Guard confirmed in a statement this morning.

To ensure safety in the area, the Coast Guard established a safety zone between the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Tioga Marine Terminal.

Other vessels needing to pass through this area must contact the Coast Guard Command Center at least one hour in advance via radio or hotline.

“The MV Algoma Verity is currently aground outside the main shipping channel,” the Coast Guard added Thursday morning.

Fortunately, no injuries or pollution have been reported as a result of the incident. The ship was carrying solar salt, commonly used for industrial purposes when it ran aground.

The Algoma Verity’s grounding marks a significant interruption in shipping traffic in the Delaware River.

There have been no reports of pollution at this time and the Coast Guard will continue to monitor the vessel for any potential changes.

The cause of the grounding is under investigation, though some have suggested it was due to a blow-out tide and high winds.

Authorities and the ship’s crew are working swiftly to resolve the situation and minimize disruptions to the busy waterway.