The operation to salvage a stranded cargo ship, Hang Tong 77, from Karachi's shore has been completed successfully after 48 days, Aaj News reported on Tuesday.

This is the third attempt as two previous rescue ventures of the cargo vessel had failed. At least two crane barges and two tug boats under the guidance of an expert salvage master were used in the operation.

Special Assistant to PM on Maritime Affairs Mahmood Moulvi said that the rescue team has successfully brought the ship into the deep sea. He added that the vessel will remain in government custody, and will be kept at Karachi Harbour.

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"The owner of the ship will bear all the costs of the rescue operation," he mentioned.

"The ship will be permitted to leave the harbour after carrying out technical checks," he stated. Mahmood maintained that in the past, ships were cut up after they got stuck at the same spot and this is the first one that was salvaged without any damage.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of a company that rescued the stranded ship, Arif Shaikh, said that tug vessels have taken control of the ship and it will be taken to the harbour. "We faced difficulties during the operation due to low water level. However, our team did a remarkable job," he said.

Plan to re-float stranded ship delayed again

On July 21, the Hang Tong 77, manufactured in 2011, got stuck in the sand near Seaview Beach in the city due to a broken hanger. The ship was registered in Panama and weighs 2,250 tons.

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) officials said that the ship came ashore due to high waves and a weak engine. The ship was carrying 118 tonnes of bunker fuel.