Stricken MSC ship unable to be ‘safely refloated’ off Canadian coast
MSC Baltic III ran aground off Newfoundland, Canada, nearly two weeks ago
The Canadian Coast Guard says salvage operation continues to be delayed by poor weather and sea conditions, as it seeks onshore alternatives that could be used to reach the remote location
A MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Co-owned boxship stranded off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, is still unable to be “safely refloated”, nearly two weeks after running aground.
According to the Canadian Coast Guard, given the current condition of MSC Baltic III (IMO: 9241475), the initial focus will be on cargo and fuel removal.
The Liberia-flagged, 2003-built, 2,478 teu vessel, lost power 12 nautical miles off the entrance to the Bay of Islands, Newfoundland, before running aground in poor weather on February 15, en route to Corner Brook from Montreal. MSC Baltic III’s 20 crew were airlifted from the vessel by a CCG helicopter.
Earlier this week, the CCG said an assessment of the ship’s hull confirmed significant breaches.
The salvage of the stricken ship has been affected from the start by bad weather and rough seas.
With sea conditions still hampering on the water operations, CCG crews continue to assess MSC Baltic III from the shoreline and by air, and are developing the salvage plan, it said. No pollution has been observed.
Based on the urgency of the situation, however, the CCG said it was looking at alternatives, including repairing an old road and all-terrain vehicle trail that could be used to reach the remote location. The road would need upgrades to handle heavy equipment and tractor trailers, the CCG told local media outlet the St John’s Telegram. The CCG was also looking at building an access point from shore to the bow of the vessel, the report said.
Tank soundings revealed the containership was holding approximately 1.7m tonnes of heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil.
The CCG said that its response vessel, Jean Goodwill (IMO: 9199634), remained on scene with spill response equipment on board and was providing assistance as required.
MSC advised the CCG that the vessel is carrying 470 containers. Half of these are laden, with some containing items listed as dangerous goods, according to the ship’s manifest. This includes eight boxes containing polymeric beads, or nurdles, which have been marked as a priority for removal.
“Our priority is the safety of Canadians and the protection of the marine environment; by helping to prevent the release of pollution into the environment and mitigating the potential hazards posed by this vessel,” the CCG said.
