The containership Ever Forward has been refloated after more than a
month aground in the Chesapeake Bay, near the Port of Baltimore.

The Hong Kong-registered vessel was freed around 7 a.m. on Sunday
after running aground on March 13 while en route from Baltimore to
Norfolk, Va.

Salvors removed a portion of the nearly 5,000 containers on board to
reduce groundforce following several failed attempts to dredge around
and tow out the 1,095-foot-long containership. The ship, now several
hundred containers lighter, was pulled free by a team of five tugs
and two barges.

The Ever Forward is being towed to anchorage off Annapolis, Md. where
its hull will be inspected for damage.

The removed boxes have been shuttled via barge and offloaded at their
original onboarding facility, Seagrit Marine Terminal in Baltimore.

A pilot was on board the 12,000 TEU vessel when it went aground
outside of the Craighill Channel, though the cause of the incident is
still under investigation.

No pollution or injuries have been reported.

The ship''s Taiwanese owner Evergreen Marine has declared general
average amid a salvage operation that has grown costlier and more
complex than initially anticipated.