Nearly 100 Australians stuck on cruise ship run aground off Greenland

The Ocean Explorer ran aground earlier this week off Alpefjord, in the Northeast Greenland National Park, with about 200 tourists on board.

The Ocean Explorer has run aground off Greenland. About 90 of the 200 passengers on board are Australian. Picture: Facebook / Joint Arctic Command

About 90 Australians are stuck on board a cruise ship which has run aground off the coast of Greenland.

The Ocean Explorer, owned by Norwegian Ulstein Group and sailing under a Bahamas flag, ran aground on Monday off Alpefjord, in the Northeast Greenland National Park, with 206 passengers on board.

Authorities say no one on board is in danger and there’s no major damage to the ship.

The Ocean Explorer has run aground off Greenland. About 90 of the 206 passengers on board are Australian. Picture: Facebook / Joint Arctic Command

A statement from Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command (JAC) says they’re in constant contact with the vessel, and that tidal movements haven’t been able to free it as yet.

“Arctic Command is still in contact with relevant ships nearby that could have the opportunity to help free the cruise ship,” reads the statement.

The 104.4m long, 18m wide vessel ran aground on Monday in Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park. Picture: Facebook / Joint Arctic Command

JAC Commander Brian Jensen says the nearest Danish naval ship is about 1200 nautical miles (2000km) away, and won’t reach the Ocean Explorer until Friday morning at the earliest.

“A cruise ship in trouble in the national park is obviously a worry,” Mr Jensen said.

“The nearest help is far away, our units are far away, and the weather can be very unfavourable.

“However, in this specific situation, we do not see any immediate danger to human life or the environment, which is reassuring.”

Australian cruise operator Aurora Expeditions told Nine News about 90 Australians are on board, and that the company was “ actively engaged in efforts to free the vessel.”

Ocean Explorer was built in 2021, and is 104.4m long and 18m wide.

Originally published as Nearly 100 Australians stuck on cruise ship run aground off Greenland