The Cosco group did not respond to inquiries about Chinese-registered bulk coal carrier Shen Neng 1, aground off the coast of Rockhampton, Australia, 05 Apr 2010.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for more than 2,500 kilometers along Australia's northeast coast. It covers an area bigger than the United Kingdom and is largest living structure on earth. It is home to hundreds of thousands of species of marine life, many of which are rare.
Speculation has mounted about the possibility that the ship was taking a shortcut.
An MSQ spokesman said the passage was possible, but "poorly executed" by the Shen Neng 1 which was obviously "well outside the shipping lanes".
Commercial and non-commercial fishermen said they saw at least one bulk carrier duck south of Douglas Shoal every day.
