Even with a large fleet of vessels, specialised equipment, a sympathetic shore authority and a great deal of salvage expertise, the MSC Napoli salvage/wreck removal now spans a period of over 12 months. What would be the consequences of a 14,000 TEU, rather than 4,000 TEU, containership casualty?

ISU President Arnold Witte said, 'Time is one of the most significant concerns. The biggest challenge presented by a grounded ultra-large containership, once bunkers have been removed, is how to ready the ship for refloating in a timescale which minimises the risk of further, potentially catastrophic damage from hostile weather and pounding seas.

'Take a worst case: a 12,000 or 14,000 TEU containership, fully laden and firmly aground at an exposed location in, say, the North West European region in early January. Beyond the first priority of safety of life, the next task is to remove bunkers whilst, at the same time, looking ahead and planning for the discharge of deck containers.

'This is likely to be extraordinarily difficult. Sourcing equipment capable of performing this role for casualties in the 4,000 TEU class is already problematical. It is not just a question of finding powerful cranes with a long reach. The salvor also needs barges, support tugs and, most of all, long periods of relatively good weather if the work is to progress at a reasonable speed. He is unlikely to get that in North West Europe in early January! Even if he does, container reception is the next challenge. In a casualty involving an ultra-large vessel, thousands of boxes must be landed, assessed and shipped on or otherwise dealt with. Relatively few ports have the necessary space for such activities, carried out under emergency conditions.'

Regulators and insurers are beginning to consider such issues in some detail. The International Salvage Union will participate in this debate. Arnold Witte added, 'During 2008 the ISU and its members will be talking to major players in the container sector, port authorities and government agencies. We want to ensure people are aware of the magnitude of the difficulties to be faced. We also want to work with them, to find solutions before emergency response capabilities in this area are put to the supreme test.'