Salvage plans are being drawn up following the grounding of a Greek bulker off Brazil.

The country's navy said it was informed by local police and the port captain in Sao Francisco do Sul that the 77,000-dwt Aeolian Grace (built 2007) got stuck while exiting its berth on Tuesday night, about 500 metres from the terminal.

Officials added the vessel, operated by Greece's SwissMarine Inc, has been stabilised by two tugs and there has been no pollution.

The navy has asked the pilot to remain on board.

Contact was made with the local ship agent to request divers to carry out an external evaluation of the hull.

A low tide could have been to blame, according to domestic media reports.

Salvage situation assessed

The port authority said in a statement that technicians were assessing the situation and seeking salvage solutions.

It added the vessel is in full working order and presents no risk to the environment or crew.

Port operations have not been affected, but entry and exit of ships was being assessed on a case-by-case basis by the authority and its pilots.

AIS data showed the bulker still aground on Thursday morning. It had arrived from Ennore in India on 22 February.

The port authority have begun an investigation in to the incident.

SwissMarine has been contacted for further information.

The vessel is insured by Skuld in Norway. It has a clean port-state control record.

Last week, the Polaris Shipping-owned 300,000-dwt VLOC Stellar Banner (built 2016) was deliberately grounded by the master off Sao Luis after it departed Vale’s Ponta de Madeira terminal in Brazil.