Car carrier runs aground near Buenaventura in Colombia

A car carrier with a cargo of 500 vehicles ran aground and was refloated near Buenaventura port in Colombia on Monday.

Ray Car Carriers PCTC Platinum Bay had sailed from Japan via Mexico.

For reasons to be determined, the 200m-long ship left the fairway and grounded into a mud shallow a few miles from the port.

Two tugs were employed to right it at high tide after seven hours aground.

There were no reports of damage to vessel or cargo, nor injury to crew or fuel spillage.

The approach to the port was not impeded and port operations carried on as normal.

Once refloated, the Platinum Ray continued on to berth in Buenaventura port where it will be inspected and cargo offloading should proceed.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.