Efforts are underway to clear the wreckage of a bulk carrier that beached about 5 months ago off the coast of Gibraltar. The salvage operation for the bulker, “OS 35” is expected to begin in January 2023. The Authorities have set a deadline to completely clear the wreckage by May 30, 2023.
Specialized vessels are already underway to Gibraltar to begin the salvage operation. Handling tugs Koole 42 and Barge H283 have departed from Suriname, South America, and are a part of the team which will perform the salvage operation for the wrecked bulker. The vessels Koole 31 and Barge H10030 are being prepared in the Netherlands for the salvage operation. They will join the salvage team soon in Gibraltar.
Salvage crews are already breaking apart the vessel for its removal. The Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) has reported that divers have vacuumed up more than 3000 liters of oil residues from the hull of the vessel. The bulker was carrying a cargo of 33,632 tons of steel bars. This steel will be removed and sent for recycling.
The bulker OS 35, lies 2000 feet from the shore of Catalan Bay. On 29th Aug, 2022, while departing from Gibraltar, the bulk carrier had collided with a natural gas carrier “Adam LNG”. Master of OS 35 had intentionally grounded the vessel to avoid sinking, but later the vessel was damaged beyond repair, and the authorities decided to sink the vessel to mitigate further pollution of the coastline.
The salavage plan involves spliting the wreck into two parts, taking careful consideration to not disturb the hydrocarbon deposits that remain onboard. The split portions will be lifted onto specialized vessels and taken to a recycling plant that is yet to be determined.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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