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Two crew members have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.

"The crew is currently being offered all possible support and assistance to help them cope with the ordeal they have been through," said Skiaker, extending his thanks to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the RNLI, DNV, Gard and Southampton's port authorities.

"Our vessel developed a severe list shortly after she left port and the pilot and the master took the decision to save the vessel and the crew by grounding her on the bank," Skiaker explained.

"At this stage it is too early to speculate on the cause of the list but we are starting an immediate investigation. Right now we have serious work ahead of us in order to free the vessel from the Bramble Bank without disrupting the flow of traffic in and out of the port of Southampton."

Skiaker added that an ongoing investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), with Höegh's chief concern currently to ensure that there is no environmental damage as a result of the accident.

"There is no oil spill reported at this point, however we understand that the UK authorities have brought their spill response to a state of active readiness," added the Höegh ceo.

"The vessel is currently considered stable, and we are working closely with our appointed salvors, Svitzer, who in turn are working alongside Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State's representative in maritime salvage and intervention, as well as the port of Southampton, to prepare for a safe and successful salvage of the vessel with minimal disruption to the port and its environment."

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