Ukrainian Officer Charged After Cargo Ship Grounds Near Norwegian Shore

A Ukrainian officer has been formally charged after admitting he fell asleep while navigating a cargo ship that ran aground dangerously close to a house in Norway.

The incident took place early morning on May 22, 2025, in Byneset near Trondheim, where the NCL Salten, a 135-meter (443-foot) Cyprus-flagged container ship, missed a crucial turn and crashed into the shore, stopping just about 5 to 7 meters away from a residential cabin.

According to the Trøndelag Police District, the officer in his 30s was alone on the bridge when the ship veered off course. He admitted during questioning that he had fallen asleep while on duty, which led to the vessel continuing straight instead of turning to starboard to enter the port at Orkanger.

The officer has been charged under Section 14 of Norway’s Ship Safety and Security Act for “negligent navigation.” The law requires that vessels must be operated in a way that avoids risks to life, health, the environment, or property.

Police confirmed that he would not be held in custody at this time.

The ship was travelling at a speed of about 16 knots as it entered the Trondheim Fjord. cInstead, it continued straight ahead and grounded after 5 am.

There were 16 crew members onboard the NCL Salten, and none were injured. As a standard part of the investigation, the ship’s captain has also been listed as a suspect.

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Police said they are now looking into whether the vessel complied with regulations related to bridge manning and crew work and rest hours.

Several crew members were interviewed on Friday to understand what caused the accident. Authorities have seized the ship’s log and other documents as part of their investigation.

Prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sørensen from the Trøndelag Police District stated that investigators are working to establish the full timeline of events and to find out if the vessel had the appropriate number of crew members on watch at the time.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration has been informed, and the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) is involved in both the investigation and the salvage operation.

The NCA confirmed that their teams are monitoring the ship and assisting with rescue efforts.

Initial attempts to refloat the ship failed. The Norwegian Coastal Authority has since ordered geotechnical assessments after reports of a landslide near the grounding site. One house near the area where the ground gave way had to be evacuated as a precaution.

Surveys have revealed that the vessel suffered damage to its forecastle and some ballast tanks. However, officials clarified that the damage is not serious enough to complicate the salvage. The affected tanks only contained seawater, so there is no immediate risk of pollution.

 

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A pollution control vessel has still been deployed to the area as a preventative measure. The shipping company responsible for the vessel is in charge of organising the salvage.

The NCA will review the proposed salvage plan and may request additional measures if necessary to ensure environmental and operational safety. No timeline has been given yet for when the vessel might be successfully refloated.

Johan Helberg, who owns the cabin the ship almost struck, told the media he was asleep just meters from where the bow came to a stop. He said the ship could have hit the house if it had been slightly off course.

Describing the scene, he said it looked “unreal” and that he had to crane his neck to see the top of the ship from his window.

Another neighbour reported waking up to loud noises and saw the ship heading straight for the shore. His son told the media that the experience was terrifying and said it felt like something out of a dream since it was so early in the morning.

Per reports, the NCL Salten had previously run aground in 2023 but managed to refloat itself without assistance at that time.

Logistics company NCL, which chartered the ship, confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the authorities to support the ongoing investigation and salvage operation.

Reference: politiet

Source: Maritime Shipping News