In the early hours of June 20, 2025, a large cement-carrying freighter ran aground near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, causing a significant disruption to marine traffic, reports Marine Insight.
Freighter runs aground
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. as the vessel was reversing to dock near a busy riverside area lined with popular bars and restaurants. The ship veered off course and struck the boardwalk, lodging itself approximately 25 feet from the riverbank and obstructing all vessel movement through the channel.
Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene. The U.S. Coast Guard established a safety zone while tugboats were dispatched in the early morning hours. After several hours of coordinated effort, the grounded freighter was successfully dislodged shortly before 6 a.m. and safely moved to the intended dock. There were no injuries reported, and officials confirmed that the cement cargo remained secure with no environmental contamination.
The incident has been designated a “serious marine incident,” with estimated damages to the ship and the impacted boardwalk exceeding $250,000. The freighter will remain docked as authorities conduct interviews with the crew and complete their investigation. Preliminary assessments suggest that the vessel was navigating the river for only the second time and was affected by stronger-than-usual currents, likely intensified by recent rainfall.
Marine traffic has since resumed along the Cuyahoga River, and repair work is being planned for the damaged waterfront infrastructure.
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Source: Marine Insight
