After months of work, salvors have successfully removed most of the bunker fuel from the grounded boxship MSC Baltic III, significantly lowering the risk of pollution along Newfoundland’s coast. Utilizing calmer summer weather, the salvage team has been transferring cargo containers from the vessel’s deck to a barge, which has also taken over 1,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil to the Port of Corner Brook for safe disposal. The ship initially carried approximately 1,600 tonnes of fuel when it ran aground on February 15.
The MSC Baltic III grounded on a rock shelf during severe weather, prompting a high-risk helicopter evacuation of its crew, all of whom were safely rescued. The salvage operation has faced numerous challenges, including the remote location and harsh winter conditions, but about 200 cargo containers, some severely damaged, have been lightered off.
The vessel remains stuck on the rocks, with its hull severely damaged, making any refloat attempts currently impossible. Salvors are racing against time to complete the lightering process before hurricane season arrives. Local residents, particularly those in the fishing industry, are concerned about potential pollution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean waters for their community’s livelihood.
