MSC containership runs aground off Newfoundland
Crew of 20 were airlifted from the boxship on Saturday, February 15
The vessel experienced a loss of power and ran aground off Lark Harbour, Canada, in ‘unfavourable’ weather and conditions
A CONTAINERSHIP owned and operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co has run aground off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
The Liberia-flagged, 2003-built, 2,478 teu MSC Baltic III (IMO: 9241475) was en route to Corner Brook, Newfoundland from Montreal.
The Canadian Coast Guard said the Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques, also on Newfoundland, received a mayday from MSC Baltic III on the morning of Saturday, February 15 when it was about 12 nautical miles off the entrance to the Bay of Islands. The containership reported a loss of power.
Weather and sea conditions were “unfavourable”, the coastguard said. MSC Baltic III was unable to secure an anchor and ran aground in Wild Cove, west of Lark Harbour.
The vessel’s crew of 20 were airlifted by a search and rescue helicopter on February 15.
Weather conditions continue to be a challenge in the salvage effort, the coastguard said, and the boxship remains aground. No oil spill has been detected but there are concerns the hull could be breached.
The coastguard said the owner had been “co-operative and responsive” and a salvage company contracted by MSC was expected to arrive in the area yesterday to assess the situation.
MSC Baltic III operates on MSC’s weekly Montreal to Mexico service via Halifax and Freeport in the Bahamas.
MSC was contacted for comment.
