A large container ship has run aground off Dover in worsening seas, the coastguard said on Wednesday.

The German registered LT Cortesia, which is carrying a mixed cargo, ran aground close to high water at 5 a.m. as it travelled through the Dover Strait.

A towing vessel has gone to the 90,500-tonne ship to help assess any damage, though early reports said the Cortesia is watertight and there is no fuel leakage.

The 43,000 tonnes of cargo is secure, and none of the 27 crew was injured.

The vessel was on its way to the Suez Canal when it went aground close to the Varne Bank about nine miles south of Dover Harbour.

It is lying outside shipping lanes, but will have to wait until the next high water at about 6:30 p.m. before any chance of refloating.

The weather is predicted to worsen later on Wednesday with the current force 4 southeasterly winds expected to strengthen to 5 or 6, occasionally 7 easterlies.

Last January, the MSC Napoli was deliberately run aground by her crew off Branscombe in Devon after she became holed in heavy seas, triggering a seaside looting spree when dozens of cargo containers washed up on shore.