The removal operation of the MSC Baltic III ship, being carried out by Resolve Marine, has reached its midpoint. According to recent reports, by early October, approximately 6,086 tons of the wreckage of this ship have been removed from the water, which accounts for nearly 55 percent of the ship's total weight.
Details of the Removal Operation
On September 27, sections of the bow and midship of the MSC Baltic III, measuring 42 meters in length, were towed ashore. At the time of the operation, the ship was 207 meters long and had a capacity of 33,767 tons. The demolition operation has accelerated during the summer and includes the removal of the deck structure, machinery, and upper sections of the ship.
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Current Status of the Ship
During the operation, a large portion of the ship's bow was removed from the water and transferred ashore on September 9. Additionally, the hull of the ship has broken near the point where it was damaged in 2025. Currently, the bow is being towed towards the shore in a manner that makes access from the recycling site easier. A large crane is on-site to lift the hull sections.
While cutting and removal operations are actively ongoing, Coast Guard officials also report that the ship's tanks and lines are being cleared for the removal of remaining fuel. The Coast Guard has also announced that absorbent barriers remain in place to prevent pollution.
Resolve Marine, contracted by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and insurance companies, has stated that the operation will continue as long as weather conditions do not become completely adverse. Their goal is to clear as much of the ship as possible before winter arrives, but a final cleanup and shoreline restoration is expected to take place in 2027.
The MSC Baltic III ship lost power during a winter storm on February 15, 2025, and drifted nearly 12 nautical miles offshore. The ship was driven towards the shore, and Canadian forces organized a challenging aerial rescue operation to evacuate 20 crew members from the ship. The ship came to a stop in the Newfoundland area, and the first phase of the rescue operation involved the removal of about 470 containers, more than half of which were empty, as well as the removal of nearly 1.7 million liters of heavy fuel and marine oil.
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