Baie-Comeau, Canada — After a journey that lasted more than ten weeks, the general cargo vessel Thamesborg, operated by Wagenborg Shipping, has finally arrived at its intended destination in Baie-Comeau, eastern Canada, marking the end of a challenging trans-Arctic voyage that included a grounding incident in the Franklin Strait.
The ship’s voyage from China to Canada, initially planned to take three to four weeks via the Northwest Passage, extended to more than two months due to the grounding and subsequent salvage operation.
Grounding and Recovery
The Thamesborg ran aground in early September 2025 while transiting the Franklin Strait, part of Canada’s Arctic route. The 207-meter vessel was refloated on 8 October 2025, more than a month after the incident. Following the refloating, the ship, accompanied by the icebreaker Botnica and tug Beverly M I, traveled south through Baffin Bay, the Davis Strait, and down the St. Lawrence River en route to its final destination.
According to a company statement, Wagenborg confirmed that the Thamesborg arrived safely in Baie-Comeau and began offloading its remaining cargo.
“Following discharge operations, the vessel will undergo repairs at a shipyard to be determined,” Wagenborg said.
The Canadian Coast Guard later confirmed that the grounding and subsequent refloating were completed without any pollution or injuries.
Salvage and Cargo Transfer
The complex refloating operation required transferring portions of the Thamesborg’s cargo onto two assisting vessels, the Nunalik and Silver Copenhagen. Both ships helped lighten the grounded vessel’s load before the refloat attempt.
The Silver Copenhagen reached Baie-Comeau ahead of the convoy, arriving on 25 October 2025, where it was photographed unloading cargo. After completing discharge operations, it departed the port two days later.
AIS tracking data shows the Thamesborg currently anchored near the Baie-Comeau shoreline, awaiting full offloading. Photographs taken upon arrival indicate that the vessel was traveling under its own power.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the grounding remains under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), in coordination with Wagenborg and other Canadian authorities.
“The exact cause of the grounding is the subject of an investigation conducted in full cooperation with Canadian authorities, including the TSB,” Wagenborg stated.
An interim report from the TSB is expected within 12 months, which will provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Some Arctic navigation analysts have noted that the Thamesborg may have been following an unusual course through the eastern section of the Franklin Strait, possibly outside the commonly used shipping corridor. However, officials have not confirmed this, and the matter remains part of the ongoing investigation.
