THE Hoegh Osaka will return to Southampton's port today for the first time since becoming stranded in the Solent for 19 days.

A massive rescue operation was triggered when the 51,000-tonne cargo ship became beached on Brambles Bank on January 3.

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It was carrying 1,400 cars and 100 pieces of industrial equipment but shortly after setting sail it began listing sharply and pilots were forced to ground the vessel.

A Hoegh Autoliners spokesman confirmed to the Daily Echo that the ship would be arriving at the docks at about 8.15am today before leaving at about 5pm.

The RNLI, Solent Coastguard and an RAF helicopter were called into action to rescue the 25 crew members, one of whom was taken to hospital after suffering a broken leg.

Weeks later the stricken ship was towed into Southampton, before making her way to Falmouth in Cornwall for repairs.