Dutch operator Wagenborg will attempt to refloat its grounded cargo vessel Thamesborg this week, weather conditions permitting, the company announced during a press briefing. The vessel ran aground in the Canadian Arctic on September 6.
With the Estonian icebreaker Botnica arriving on scene over the weekend Wagenborg said that all resources and personnel required for a refloating are now on site.
Over the past two weeks 4,000 tons of cargo have been transferred from Thamesborg to freighters Silver Copenhagen and Nulavik, in an effort to lighten the ship. Additional cargo may be removed if necessary, the company stated.
The reloading completed phase one of the salvage operation and with the arrival of Botnica phase two is set to begin this week aimed at reducing the amount of ballast water in the damaged tanks and the subsequent attempt to refloat the vessel.
“Multiple ballast tanks were ruptured in the grounding, these tanks were empty before the grounding and are now filled with seawater taken on in the Northwest Passage,” David Solsbery, a spokesperson for Wagenborg, explained.
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