Salvage Teams Assess Solutions for Stranded MSC Container Ship

The Canadian Coast Guard is currently coordinating efforts to survey the MSC Baltic III, a cargo ship that ran aground during a winter storm. The ship, which blacked out and was unable to use its anchor to prevent grounding, had its crew rescued amidst challenging weather conditions. Royal Canadian Air Force Captain Matthew Cox described the rescue as one of the trickiest maneuvers of his career, with 20 crew members successfully rescued to safety, including four requiring medical assistance.

The Coast Guard has established an emergency zone around the vessel and is setting up a staging area in Newfoundland. The CCGS Henry Larsen and CCGS Jean Goodwill are on standby, with the latter en route to the scene. Another MSC containership, MSC Carmen, was seen approaching the area, with the salvaging team expected to access the site soon. Despite the vessel’s capacity of 2,478 TEU, only around 400 containers are currently onboard, with no reported environmental damage.

Weather conditions continue to pose challenges, with high winds and freezing temperatures in the region. Efforts to refloat the vessel and minimize risks are ongoing, with teams evaluating the best approach. The weather forecast predicts a moderation in conditions by midweek, providing a window for salvage operations to proceed smoothly.

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