MSC Baltic III To Be Dismantled And Hauled Ashore In Complex Newfoundland Salvage Operation

Authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador have agreed on a final plan to remove the grounded container ship MSC Baltic III, with the vessel set to be cut into sections and hauled ashore for recycling.

The ship has been stranded in Cedar Cove near Lark Harbour since February 15, 2025, when it lost power during a winter storm and ran aground.

Over time, the condition of the vessel has worsened. There is heavy damage across the hull on both sides, and parts of the ship continue to buckle.

The stern is resting on the seabed, and large rocks have pushed through the structure, including one about 14 feet high inside the engine room.

After reviewing different options, authorities and salvage teams decided not to refloat the vessel.

Structural damage and constant exposure to strong Atlantic conditions made that option unsafe.

Instead, dismantling the ship where it sits was seen as the most controlled way to remove it and reduce environmental risks.

Resolve Marine has been awarded the main contract for the next phase of the work, along with subcontractors JCL Investments and Newco Metals.

Earlier work was handled by T&T Salvage, which removed fuel, cargo, and other pollutants. Out of the 472 containers onboard, 409 were discharged during 2025.

Many were empty, while some carried hazardous cargo. There are still 63 containers left on the ship, most of them damaged and waterlogged, and these will be removed first.

Salvage crews plan to pull the ship apart along existing cracks using chain-pulling systems. The vessel will be cut into smaller sections, which will then be dragged onto land.

Fuel tanks will be opened and cleaned once sections are brought ashore, and the material will be sent for recycling.

Most of the nearly 1,700 metric tonnes of hydrocarbons have already been removed, though some residual fuel and contaminated water remain.

Work at the site has already started. Crews have been stabilising the area and putting environmental protection measures in place.

Inspections carried out along the shoreline, underwater, and by drone have shown only minor pollution, such as small tar deposits, which have been cleaned up.

The project is expected to take several months, with full removal likely to continue until summer 2027.

Progress will depend on weather and sea conditions, which have already made access to the site difficult. The coastline is known for strong currents and rough weather, adding to the challenges.

To support the operation, the existing access route to the site will be expanded so equipment can reach the shoreline.

This has raised concerns among some local residents and officials, who worry about the impact on a popular fishing and tourism area. There are also concerns about quarry work needed to supply material for the road.

Project representatives have said the expansion is necessary to move contaminated materials ashore safely and handle them properly.

They have also stated that any temporary changes, including the road, will be removed once the work is complete and the area will be restored.

Representatives from the Qalipu First Nation have said they were consulted and believe the company has the experience to carry out the work responsibly.

Resolve Marine has said the job is more complex than a typical salvage operation due to the size of the vessel, the damage, and the location.

The company has worked on similar projects around the world, including previous operations in Canada.

It was also involved in earlier work related to the Manolis L wreck in Newfoundland and other salvage efforts in British Columbia and the Arctic.

The contract was awarded by Mediterranean Shipping Company and its insurers, with oversight from the Canadian government to ensure the work is carried out properly. The total cost of the operation has not been disclosed.

The ship will be removed in stages, with crews working as quickly as conditions allow while maintaining safety. Once complete, the goal is to return the area as close as possible to its original state.

References: saltwire, cbc