Salvage Team On The Way To Rescue Grounded Cargo Ship In Canadian Arctic

A salvage master and naval architect are en route to rescue the grounded Dutch cargo ship Thamesborg, which is located in the Franklin Strait in Nunavut.

They are working on a plan for the vessel, which has remained in this situation for nearly a week. Though it is stable, it has taken on water in several ballast tanks.

The operator of the vessel, Royal Wagenborg, stated that the salvage team would arrive by the end of the week.

Per the Canadian Coast Guard, a survey was done on September 8, using ROVs, and presently, the extent of damage is being ascertained to develop a salvage plan.

Ballast tanks were found to be damaged, though fuel tanks seemed fine, and there was no flooding in the cargo holds.

A Canadian Coast Guard Vessel, CCGS Jean Goodwill, remained on the site for assistance.

The ship was sailing from China to Baie-Comeau, Quebec, with carbon blocks used for manufacturing in the heavy industry when the incident happened.

There were 15 crew members on the ship, along with an ice pilot. Though everyone was reported safe, they are stranded in a remote part of Canada, far from any large settlements.

The ship’s owner and salvage master organised more personnel and equipment for assistance.

Thamesborg was constructed in 2013 and is 174 m long and is registered in the Netherlands. It underwent inspections in March 2024 and 2025, and no issues were reported with the ice-class vessel.

Just 18% of Canada’s Arctic waters have been mapped with modern technology, and much of the Northwest Passage lacks modern charts, making the area dangerous for navigation.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada announced that this incident marks the season’s second grounding in the same eastern area of the Northwest Passage.

Source: Maritime Shipping News