According to Australian news portals, the Hong Kong registered carrier, ID Integrity, that ran into trouble due to engine problems near the Great Barrier Reef on Friday night, is now being towed to port in Townsville.

There were concerns it could run into the Great Barrier Reef, causing an environmental disaster.

Namely, the carrier was drifting toward the Great Barrier Reef, before a tug boat reached it.

Australian Reef Pilots chief executive officer Simon Meyjes says similar incidents are happening a lot lately adding that the state andfederal governments should take notice.

Mr Meyjes also said that the ship should reach Townsville by tomorrow or Wednesday.

The federal Member for Leichhardt in far north Queensland, Warren Entsch, told ABC News that the incident is a reminder that authorities need to take care to protect the reef from the potential impact of cargo ships.

Two years ago the bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef near Gladstone off central Queensland, spilling more than three tonnes of heavy fuel oil.