The Canadian Coast Guard has confirmed the recovery of several tar balls near the area where the MSC Baltic III containership ran aground in Newfoundland two months ago. Initial testing suggests that the oil found in the tar balls likely came from the vessel, although there is no evidence of a consistent leak from the fuel tanks. The tar balls, described as being the size of tennis or golf balls, were discovered on a nearby beach during routine searches in April. A total of six or seven tar balls have been recovered and sent for further testing, with suspicions that they may be heavy fuel washed from the ship during rough weather.
A recent survey of the MSC Baltic III vessel revealed an estimated 1600 metric tons of heavy fuel and marine gas oil onboard. Salvage efforts have been underway since late March, with fuel being pumped into frac tanks on the deck of the vessel. The slow process involves transferring the fuel to tanks on a barge alongside the ship, as weather conditions make it challenging to keep the barge in place for extended periods. As of early April, 184 cubic meters of fuel had been pumped into the frac tanks, with no fuel yet transferred off the vessel due to ongoing weather-related delays.
Initial salvage operations in March removed eight containers loaded with dangerous polymeric beads from the vessel, which had approximately 470 containers onboard when it grounded. The damaged hull of the ship currently prevents any consideration of refloating it. The Canadian Coast Guard emphasizes the “polluter pays” principle, with the vessel’s owners and insurance being responsible for all salvage operation costs overseen by the Coast Guard. The ongoing salvage effort is being conducted by T&T Salvage, hired by MSC.
