An NYK Line-owned LNG carrier which was refloated in the Suez Canal following a grounding is to move under its own power to Malta for further inspection.

A spokeswoman for NYK told TradeWinds that the 173,955-cbm Grace Emilia (built 2021), which is on time-charter to Gail (India), remains at anchor in the Great Bitter Lake at the northern end of the waterway after grounding and later being refloated by Suez Canal tugs on Friday.

She said the vessel had been given all the relevant clearances and weather permitting it will sail to Malta on Wednesday where it will undergo a further detailed inspection.

It is anticipated that it may need to undergo repair work.

NYK said there was no mechanical failure that caused the grounding. Some media reports had suggested the ship experienced rudder issues.

The company said at no time did the vessel, which is in ballast, block Suez Canal traffic.

Grace Emilia was chartered to Gail for five years in 2021.

The markets have been alive to reports of large ship groundings in the Canal since Evergreen’s 20,388-teu Ever Given (built 2018) blocked the waterway for weeks in March 2021 causing severe disruptions for world trade.