Owners of the Hoegh Osaka say repairs could be completed much more quickly than first thought

Owners of the huge vessel today announced repair works will be completed much quicker than first thought.

It comes just three days after the 51,000 tonne vessel finally left Southampton and sailed to a ship repair yard in Falmouth in Cornwall.

Insurers are still assessing the damage caused to 1,400 luxury cars and 105 pieces of heavy plant equipment she was carrying.

Owners Hoegh Autoliners anticipated the works to fix the ship's stanchions and hydraulic wheel ramp and a deep clean would take three weeks.

But yesterday a spokesman said she is likely to be fully restored by Friday, February 20.

He added: “We weren't sure of the timings until she was in the yard.

“But now she is in a lot better condition than first thought and has been very robust.

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) will ultimately determine when the ship is declared seaworthy again.

A spokeswoman said the vessel must undergo another inspection before it will be allowed to take to the water again.

The Osaka was towed into Southampton after being stranded for 19 days on Bramble Bank, off the Isle of Wight, after getting into trouble on January 3.