Salvage teams in Newfoundland, Canada are working to reduce pollution risks from the grounded MSC Baltic III containership. Despite no observed pollution, dangers remain due to significant hull damage. Efforts to offload fuel and contaminants are underway, with challenges posed by the remote location and harsh weather.
Twelve days after the containership MSC Baltic III ran aground in Canada during a winter storm, the Canadian Coast Guard has determined it cannot be safely refloated. Salvage efforts are hindered by bad weather, focusing on removing fuel and potential contaminants. The urgency is heightened by the threat of worsening conditions.
The Canadian Coast Guard is leading efforts to survey the MSC Baltic III, a cargo ship grounded in a winter storm. Crew rescued in challenging conditions, with 20 members airlifted to safety. Emergency zone established, salvage teams mobilized. Weather remains a hurdle, but forecast offers hope for smooth salvage operations by midweek.
Efforts to remove the grounded small tanker, the 5,000 dwt Sanwa Maru, have been suspended by the Japan Coastguard. The vessel ran aground at the southern end of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, on January 6. Initial reports indicated no injuries or damage to the vessel, but a 5-degree list to starboard prompted the evacuation of most of the crew.
The Canadian Coast Guard successfully freed the grounded bulker Maccoa after two weeks of being aground. The vessel, registered in Cyprus, had been delayed in refloating due to the holidays. Three tugs were used in the second attempt to refloat the vessel and reposition it back into the shipping channel.
A Cyprus-flagged bulker, the Maccoa, has been stuck in Canada’s St. Lawrence River since December 24. Plans to free the vessel involve lightering, the second time in a month a bulker in the river needed to remove cargo to become unstuck. Efforts to free the ship are underway, with a target date of January 5.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and Goundar Shipping successfully recovered a stranded ferry near Moala Island. With 245 passengers onboard, emergency response measures were implemented, and the vessel was refloated with minimal damage. Despite past safety concerns, Goundar Shipping remains committed to improving operations and passenger experience. Passengers were safely transferred to continue their journey.
South African officials have completed the first phase of the recovery operation for the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy. Progress was made due to a break in harsh winter weather, but another cold front is expected. The vessel developed a severe list during a storm on July 9 off the west coast of South Africa, leading the crew to abandon ship. A new salvage company has been appointed to continue the next phase.
South African officials are warning about the fertilizer cargo and debris washing ashore from the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy after severe weather. Salvage operations are underway as weather allows efforts to rescue the vessel, which ran aground on the Atlantic coast. The vessel, with 18 crew members from the Philippines, remains on its side as teams work to remove cargo and prevent oil spills.
