MORRISBURG, Ontario – The Chem Norma, a 145 meter oil tanker ran aground in the St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg at around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29.
According to Andrew Bogora, Communications and Public Relations Officer with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the Chem Norma is carrying refined petroleum products, but that it is being inspected and that so far there is no sign of a leak.
The Chem Norma is double hulled, as is required for all tanker ships traveling the Seaway.
As of 4 p.m. the Chem Norma was still stuck, but Bogora said that tug boats would be on station in a few hours to tow the ship free.
He said that since the shipis resting outside the navigation channel it was not stopping ships from passing through the Seaway, however, all ships have been instructed to pass the area at a reduced speed.
Bogora did not expect the ship to be freed before Wednesday morning.
