Salvage work on the MSC Baltic III off Newfoundland, Canada, is moving into its next phase as preparations continue for dismantling the stranded containership. With nearly all cargo removed, crews are also advancing work needed to bring part of the wreck ashore.
The removal plan calls for the vessel to be separated at the section where the hull cracked and buckled. Once the cut is completed, the bow section will be pulled onto land using chains and chain pullers before being cleaned and dismantled. Recovered steel from the structure will then be transported for recycling.
At the same time, cargo recovery is nearing completion. The Canadian Coast Guard reported that only four containers remain aboard the vessel. Most of the remaining containers had been located inside flooded cargo holds and were heavily damaged after being submerged. Before Resolve Marine assumed responsibility for the project earlier this year, 409 of the ship’s 462 containers, including dangerous goods, had already been removed.
The final cargo recovery continues under strict safety measures because several submerged containers hold decomposing materials that may produce hydrogen sulfide. Specialists remain at the site to monitor gas levels, while recovered containers are loaded onto barges fitted with side barriers to prevent contaminated material from leaking during transport.
Environmental protection measures are also continuing alongside the salvage operation. A contaminated water treatment system is being prepared so water removed from the flooded holds can be treated during the recovery process. Additional cleaning is also planned to recover residual fuel remaining inside tanks and piping after approximately 1,700 tonnes of fuel had already been removed from MSC Baltic III.
Earlier this year, Resolve Marine said it aims to complete dismantling of the bow section before the end of the year. The company also plans to remove the deckhouse from the stern section. Recent images from the site show that most hatch covers and deck machinery have already been removed, while work has begun to strip materials from inside the deckhouse.
