Lomar Shipping has decided
to scrap damaged 2017-built container ship Kea Trader after salvage experts
inspected the stranded vessel. Ardent was still removing containers from the
2,194 TEU capacity container ship wreck on 30 September and was considering
refloating procedures.
Bad weather had delayed
container removal, but Lomar said 532 containers have been discharged and
delivered ashore in Noumea, New Caledonia. This still leaves 224 containers on
the ship. Kea Trader, which was only delivered in January this year, remains on
Durand Reef while Ardent progresses multiple plans for refloating the
Malta-flagged ship.
Salvors will ensure the
marine environment is protected during the refloat and will then tow the
damaged vessel to a demolition yard. Ardent was removing most of the rest of
the containers. A Lomar spokesman told Riviera Maritime Media that the majority
of the containers were removed and the remainder will be removed following the
vessel's re-floating.
After significant storms
crashed through the salvage site in the South Pacific, Lomar was able to get
specialists on board for detailed analysis and underwater inspections. These
“identified extensive damage to the hull, rudder and propeller,” Lomar said.
It also explained that “most
double bottom tanks have been affected” by the hard grounding. “There is water
ingress in all five cargo holds, which is being controlled by portable pumps
where possible to protect cargo.”
There has been further
structural damage within the vessel and additional deterioration while it
remained on the rock reef during rough swells.
Lomar said it spoke with the
lead underwriter, Norwegian Hull Club, and P&I Club Skuld, then decided
that the vessel cannot be repaired and will need to be recycled.
Kea Trader was launched in
January 2017 at the Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in China. The 25,293 DWT vessel
was sailing from Papeete, in French Polynesia, to Noumea in New Caledonia,
loaded with 756 container units, when it ran aground on 12 July. It is expected
to be one of the most costly and complex salvage projects in 2017.
Source: tug
technology and business. 02 October 2017
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