Guang Rong to Leave Marina di Massa Nearly One Year After the Accident

The Guang Rong is set to be removed from Marina di Massa today, nearly one year after the maritime accident that left the cargo ship stranded along the Tuscan coast. The operation began on December 15, 2025, and is expected to take between 24 and 48 hours, after which the vessel will be towed to the port of Livorno.

The ship ran into the pier at Marina di Massa on January 28, 2025, and has remained grounded on the sandy seabed in front of the local beach resorts ever since, becoming a constant presence along the shoreline throughout the year.

How the Guang Rong removal operation works

The Guang Rong’s cargo of stones has already been completely unloaded. The removal process underway involves injecting air into the ballast tanks after draining the water that had been intentionally added to prevent the ship from lifting once the cargo was removed.

Once this phase is completed, the vessel will be moved further away from the shore and connected to tugboats, which will tow it to Livorno. The entire operation will be paid for by the shipowner, who has been identified as responsible for the accident.

At this stage, the final fate of the Guang Rong has not been officially confirmed. However, the decision to bring the ship to Livorno rather than Genoa may suggest an attempt to repair the vessel rather than dismantle it, especially since the engines are believed not to have been damaged.

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Authorities inspect the site and monitor weather conditions

At 11:00 AM today, a site inspection is scheduled involving the Prefect of Massa, the Mayor of Massa Francesco Persiani, the Maritime Director of Tuscany, senior police officials, and the commander of the local Port Authority. The inspection aims to assess the progress of the operation and confirm whether the planned timeline can be respected.

Weather conditions are being closely monitored, as forecasts indicate rougher seas in the coming days, which could affect how the operation proceeds.

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Local response nearly a year after the accident

According to Mayor Francesco Persiani, the outcome has been more positive than initially expected. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, some projections suggested that removing the ship could take years, with fears that the Guang Rong might remain permanently off the coast.

Nearly a year later, local authorities point to an effective institutional response that has helped bring the situation under control, offering reassurance to residents, businesses, and visitors to this stretch of the Tuscan coastline.