Grounded MSC Baltic III Hull Severely Damaged After Winter Storms Off Newfoundland

Severe winter storms have caused further damage to the MSC Baltic III, which has been grounded near Wild Cove in Newfoundland and Labrador since February 2025.

The Canadian Coast Guard and contracted salvage crews boarded the vessel on 7 and 8 December to assess the impact of storms on 5 and 6 December, reporting significant additional structural damage.

The 207-metre container ship now shows noticeable buckling of steel plates on both the starboard and port sides, while the stern has settled visibly lower in the water.

Small salvage equipment onboard was also found to have been damaged. Weather permitting, crews are continuing on-water and shoreline surveys in Cedar Cove and nearby beaches, where an increase in oiled debris has been observed, prompting ongoing clean-up operations.

The MSC Baltic III ran aground on 15 February 2025 after losing power in severe winter weather while en route to Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

All 20 crew members were rescued safely by the Royal Canadian Air Force via helicopter shortly after the grounding. At the time, the vessel was carrying heavy fuel oil, marine gas oil, and around 470 containers, including empty containers and others with goods such as food and lumber.

Since the incident, the Canadian Coast Guard has overseen pollution response and salvage operations in collaboration with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and contracted salvors, T&T Salvage.

Earlier efforts included the removal of 1,665.7 cubic metres of heavy oil and other pollutants by early September and stabilisation measures such as adding ballast water to the vessel in preparation for winter storms. A cableway was also installed from shore to improve safe access to the ship.

After a previous storm in early November, damage was already reported in several areas, including below deck in the framing and bulkheads near a water ballast tank.

The vessel still has 65 containers remaining below deck, submerged in water. These containers require careful dewatering before removal, and some flooded cargo had produced fluctuating levels of hydrogen sulphide gas, requiring safety precautions for crews.

Salvage crews have confirmed that further inspections are needed once weather conditions allow, and work continues to remove oiled debris from the shoreline.

The Coast Guard has indicated that removing the vessel will be challenging, and the increasing structural damage may lead to the MSC Baltic III being scrapped in place.

Reference: CCG

Source: Maritime Shipping News