The Bermuda Islander has not sustained any damage after a mechanical failure occurred while the vessel was being moved from her dry dock in the United States.

The container ship had been undergoing routine maintenance in Jacksonville, Florida, when the rail system she was mounted on failed to operate at the end of last week.

Although no one was injured and the ship escaped unscathed, it is not known when the Bermuda Islander will be able to return to service. The accident could not have come at a worse time after blizzards of the US East Coast left the Amstel Trader and the Somers Isles several days behind schedule this week leaving supermarket shelves empty.

Karl Johnson, a spokesman for the BAE Systems shipyard in Jacksonville, told The Royal Gazette: “The Bermuda Islander is fine and remains docked in our shipyard.

“We are in communication with the vessel's owners. We are still assessing the situation with the ship and we are working expeditiously to undock her.”

On Wednesday, Meyer Freight, which operates the Bermuda Islander, confirmed that it would be unable to complete this week's trip from Florida to Bermuda.

A company spokesman said: “BISL cargo from Salem, NJ will continue to be delivered by the M/V Somers Isles.

“Our normal schedule will resume next week, however, we may be a little late due to this week's late arrival. The week following, we will be back on schedule.

“A replacement vessel has been sought for SISL service from Fernandina Beach.

“It will sail on February 5 and arrive in Bermuda on February 9. Once the Bermuda Islander is relaunched, the Somers Isles and Bermuda Islander will return to their respective service.”