Car transport ship runs aground off Sweden’s east coast

HELSINKI – Swedish officials say a large Panama-flagged cargo vessel carrying hundreds of vehicles has run aground on the country’s east coast en route to the port of Sodertalje, south of Stockholm, and has reportedly leaked some oil.

The Swedish Coast Guard said the 139-meter (456-foot) Makassar Highway ran aground in an archipelago north of Vastervik about 7:30 a.m. Monday in good weather on the Baltic Sea.

Officials are inspecting damages to the vessel, which according to the Swedish public broadcaster SVT has left traces oil in the sea.

The Aftonbladet tabloid said the vessel was carrying 1,325 vehicles. It had allegedly navigated on a wrong route for several hours before it ran aground.

SVT said one crew member has been detained on suspicion of being intoxicated while on duty.