CLEVELAND, Ohio — Emergency officials were able to move a freighter that was stuck at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in the East Bank of the Flats.
The initial incident was reported around 12:30 a.m. Friday.
Our Overnight News Tracker captured the freighter, which ran aground and crashed into the boardwalk near the back patios of popular bars, "I Hate Cowboys", Welcome to the Farm and Forward.
Hey, you can't park there... A cement freighter from Canada is currently wedged in the Cuyahoga River outside the windows of I Hate Cowboys on the East Bank of the Flats. If you're planning on using the river today you might need a different plan... pic.twitter.com/h36yo5CVz6
— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) June 20, 2025
It was stuck 25 feet away from the building and blocking the mouth of the river.
The ship remained stuck until two tugboats were able to re-float the vessel around 6 a.m., at which point it traveled a few hundred yards to the concrete dock where it was headed.
The freighter, named "MV Sunnanvik," is a cement carrier that was carrying about 3,500 tons of cement powder at the time of the grounding, according to the Coast Guard.
A Coast Guard spokesperson said the ship's captain told investigators it was only his second time on the Cuyahoga River and that as he attempted to back the freighter into a section of what's called "Old River," he encountered stronger currents than he expected, running the ship aground and sending it into the boardwalk.
The MV Sunnanvik is operated by Canada Steamship Lines.
In a statement, the company thanked the agencies that responded to the incident and said none of the cargo was damaged or discharged into the river.
No injuries were reported either.
The Coast Guard estimated damage to the ship and boardwalk at more than $250,000, classifying the incident as a "serious marine incident."
Investigators ordered the ship to remain in port until crew members and the captain could be questioned.
Once that's complete, the Coast Guard said the freighter will be allowed to travel to its next stop in Bath, Ontario.
