Grounded bulker free to leave

COAL carrier Maria G.O. has received the green light from authorities to depart Australian waters. The Panama-flagged vessel grounded on a mudflat outside Gladstone harbour earlier this week, with authorities citing engine failure as the cause. The vessel was then suspended from sailing until the issue was rectified. A spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority told Daily Cargo News they had released the ship “late on Thursday evening”. The spokesperson said they had worked with the classification society to ensure the engine issue was rectified. A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads confirmed to DCN that a pilot was on board the ship at the time of the grounding but further details could not be provided while the incident was under investigation. The MarineTraffic shows the vessel is still east of Gladstone at the time of going to press.