Containers with rotting food remain trapped on MSC Baltic III

Work on the grounded MSC BALTIC III has turned to keeping the vessel stable through the coming winter. Spoiled food in submerged containers aboard the MSC Baltic III is generating foul odours as the grounded container ship remains stranded off Wild Cove, Newfoundland, more than seven months after it ran aground. 

The 2,478-TEU vessel has been sitting on the seabed since 15 February and cannot be refloated due to “significant” holes in its hull. Salvage work has instead focused on removing fuel and cargo, though progress has been slowed by harsh sea and weather conditions. So far, a total of 399 containers have been removed from the vessel. Authorities said 1,665.7 cubic metres of heavy oil and pollutants have already been cleared. Of 73 containers still on board, most lie below deck underwater, requiring draining and lifting before they can be removed, which, according to the authorities, is a complex process and is being advanced as weather conditions allow operations to continue safely.

“Fluctuating levels of hydrogen sulfide gas have been detected onboard the MSC Baltic III due to spoiled food in some of the cargo. This is generating an unpleasant smell in the area of the vessel. The levels are being continuously monitored and precautions are being taken by crews working on site. There is no risk to the public,” the Canadian Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard added that ballast water is being pumped into the MSC Baltic III to stabilise the grounded ship ahead of winter. MSC, the vessel’s owner, has requested the ship be winterised, and regular dive surveys of the hull are under way to monitor the underwater condition and guide winterisation efforts.

Coast guard crews continue to observe small tar stains in Cedar Cove and on nearby shorelines, and clean them as they are found.Construction of a cableway from the shore to the vessel is ongoing to give salvage personnel safe access to the vessel.

EEMS DUBLIN, a Dutch-flagged general cargo vessel operated by the shipping company Amasus Shipping, remains on site as a support vessel to facilitate the transfer of personnel and containers. Officials said the ship will stay at the location until container operations are complete and the cableway is finished. On-water and shoreside surveys, together with drone overflights, continue to monitor for pollution as weather permits 

Source: Maasmond Maritime