The Merchant Shipping Directorate of the Malta Maritime Authority is investigating the grounding of the Maltese-registered Nijord (YOB 1980, GT 2696), which occurred on Sunday night at about 10pm off Latvia’s north-western coast.

There were no injuries among the nine crew members of Latvian and Russian nationality.

No pollution was caused by the accident, the MMA said in a statement.

The small cargo ship was on its way from France to Latvia’s capital city Riga, when it ran aground on a sand bank.

The vessel has been refloated and is expected to proceed to Riga for drydock inspection.

The Maltese authorities are cooperating with their Latvian counterparts in the investigation of this accident.

The investigation is being carried out in terms of IMO Assembly Resolution A.849(20).