A Cosco Shipping Energy Transportion VLCC that came dangerously close to drifting ashore on a treacherous stretch of South African coastline is being towed to Durban.

Swire Pacific Offshore’s powerful 17,900-bhp tug Pacific Dolphin (built 2013) attached a towline to the 308,600-dwt Yuan Hua Hu (built 2015) on Saturday morning, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has confirmed.

The African Marine Solutions (AMSOL)-operated, 7,392-bhp anchor handling tug Smit Siyanda (built 2010), which stood by the casualty until the Pacific Dolphin arrived, is escorting both vessels to Durban.