Spanish Rescuers Save Disabled MSC Boxship Near Gran Canaria

Spanish first responders successfully rescued the disabled MSC boxship, MSC Talia F, which was adrift off Gran Canaria over the weekend. The vessel, carrying 1,000 TEU, broke down about eight nautical miles east of Punta Melenara, drifting south at two knots parallel to the shore. Despite challenging conditions with NNE winds at 25-30 knots and rough seas, the response crew managed to tow the ship safely to Las Palmas. The boxship has since resumed its commercial voyage and is back underway.

MSC Talia F, a 12,000 dwt feeder built in 2005 and owned in Liberia, is operated by MSC, the world’s largest container liner. Recent inspections last year revealed some issues with corrosion and piping, though none were deemed serious enough to warrant detention. This marks the second breakdown involving an older boxship for MSC in two months, as the company has been rapidly expanding its fleet by acquiring or retaining older tonnage during the late-pandemic era.

In a similar incident in February, the 2003-built MSC Baltic III lost power and drifted aground on the west coast of Newfoundland during a winter storm, leading the crew to abandon ship. The vessel remains stranded on a rocky ledge, with tar balls discovered on nearby shores. MSC’s strategy of acquiring older tonnage to expand its fleet has led to a series of breakdowns and incidents involving their vessels, showcasing the challenges of operating aging ships in adverse conditions.

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