Marine traffic in the Suez was seen to have slowed in the Suez Canal after oil tanker Rumford (IMO 9473066) appeared to face difficulties in the southern part of the channel.
The Rumford was later reported as moving at 6.6 knots, surrounded by three tugs, and therefore possibly under tow.
The Suez Canal Authority said that “the authority dealt quickly with a sudden failure in the engine of one of the ships crossing the canal, the oil tanker Rumford, with a payload of 62,000 tonnes, while crossing the canal among the southern convoy”, adding that “the canal tugs dealt with the incident in a professional way” and that the tanker resumed its movement in the canal after an engine failure was fixed by the vessel’s crew. “Maritime traffic was not affected”, the SCA said, noting that 84 ships passed through the canal from both sides on Tuesday April 6th.
SCA chairman Ossama Rabie told Reuters earlier on Tuesday the issue had only lasted about 10 minutes and that it was fixed quickly.
2012-built, Italy-flagged, 60,205 gt Rumford is owned and managed by RB-RD Armatori Srl of Torre del Greco, Naples, Italy. ISM manager is Fleet management Ltd of Hong Kong, China. It is entered with Steamship Mutual (European division) on behalf of RB/RD Armatori Srl.