Wreck removal teams have successfully moved the grounded containership MSC Baltic III approximately 53 meters towards the shore in Newfoundland and Labrador. Salvage operations continue to dismantle the vessel and extract steel from the wreck. The Canadian Coast Guard has reported that Resolve Marine plans to continue the pulling operations during high tides to facilitate the movement of the vessel towards land.
To date, crews have removed around 4,200 tonnes of material from the wreck, which accounts for about 40% of its total weight. This effort is part of an extensive salvage operation near Wild Cove, where the MSC Baltic III ran aground in February 2025 due to loss of power amid severe weather conditions. Dismantling of the vessel is taking place while it is moved ashore rather than attempting to refloat it.
Of the 472 containers onboard at the time of grounding, all but one have been removed. A damaged container is expected to remain attached to the wreck until it can reach the shore. The approach for accessing the vessel has been modified; workers are transitioning from a cableway to a temporary gangway from the shore, with a scrap pad established for crane operations.
Environmental monitoring remains a high priority, with pollution checks revealing the presence of tar balls and a slight sheen observed outside the wreck site. Residual fuel inside the vessel’s holds may lead to further pollution during dismantling. The Coast Guard emphasizes safety for workers and protection of the marine environment, advising the public to stay clear of the ongoing operations.
