An update on the condition of the stranded container ship ‘Kea Trader’ along with news of the next stage have been reported.
January MJ reported on the stranding of the 2,194teu container ship Kea Trader off New Caledonia in the south Pacific, including the contracting of Ardent for initial work including pollution prevention and partial cargo removal. Deteriorating weather conditions have resulted in further damage to the vessel and Lomar Shipping has appointed Shanghai Salvage Co to carry out the next stage of removal of the wreck.
Preparations were made in anticipation of expected cyclones and after two periods of particularly heavy weather further deterioration to the vessel has been reported. The two separated hull sections have collided causing damage to the forward section with hold three disintegrating completely, four empty containers still in that hold being lost. Hold two was also breached with an estimated 25 containers and residual debris lost to the elements.
The aft section was also affected with two hatch covers and around 17m of hull sides detached from a hold previously cleared of containers and other debris. The new damage was revealed following aerial surveillance by the owner and authorities after the cyclones, a single container was also discovered floating nearby and vessels were dispatched to recover it.
A brief respite from the hostile sea conditions had previously allowed 12 containers to be cut up and readied for lifting by helicopter to a nearby barge leaving just 84 of the original 782 containers and flat-racks still to be recovered. Soiled insulating foam from the holds was also removed during this phase. Dismantling of the interior of the accommodation areas had continued including the removal of furniture and electronic equipment along with dismantling of partitions and false ceilings on the bridge and upper levels. Removal of equipment containing oil and fuel was carried out and extra ballast added to both hull sections to help stabilise the vessel.
The force of the cyclone resulted in the escape of some limited oil deposits and soiled materials from inaccessible parts of the vessel and contractors ashore subsequently collected this material from beaches on the island of Mare. The shoreline response operation will continue for as long as necessary.
By Peter Barker
