Severe weather in the North Atlantic has exacerbated the damage to the wreck of the MSC Baltic III, which ran aground near Lark Harbor, Newfoundland, in February 2025. Following a series of storms in late January, salvage crews assessed the site, noting significant cracking and buckling of the hull on both sides. The Canadian Coast Guard reported that the crack on the port side has extended toward the stern, while buckling on the starboard side has progressed further forward. Heavy ice accumulation on the vessel, attributed to freezing temperatures and surf, poses additional risks, as it adds considerable weight to the ship’s structure.
Despite the worsening hull damage, Bruce English, a senior response officer with the Coast Guard, expressed skepticism about the ship breaking apart. He indicated that the higher-grade steel used in the deck is helping maintain the vessel’s integrity, with wave action compressing it rather than causing disintegration. Salvage teams also discovered debris along the shoreline, primarily from the salvors, but found no evidence of oil pollution. Once conditions improve, the next step will involve boarding the ship to remove any residual oil from its tanks.
To date, crews have successfully extracted nearly 1,700 tonnes of fuel oil and lubricants, along with 409 of the 472 shipping containers on board. However, the complete removal of the vessel is expected to take years due to the challenging location and harsh weather conditions. The ongoing pollution control and cargo removal efforts will be integrated into the forthcoming wreck removal contract, with contractor selection anticipated soon.
English noted that the possibility of refloating the ship is extremely unlikely, as it is effectively pinned in place by a rock formation inside the engine room and another in the No. 5 hold. When safe access is possible, crews will prioritize skimming operations to eliminate any remaining floating oil from the vessel’s tanks.
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