Salvage Operation Underway for Sunk Cargo Ship
The salvage operation for the cargo ship Sola Gratia, which sank in the Scheldt River near Antwerp’s Royers Lock two weeks ago, commenced on Sunday afternoon. The vessel, loaded with sand, reportedly sank after colliding with mooring posts. Dutch salvage company Multraship has initiated the recovery process, aiming to raise the ship safely during low tide and daylight hours.
Salvage Preparations and Challenges
Multraship, based in Terneuzen, began preparations for the salvage operation overnight by securing the final cables beneath the sunken vessel. The timing of the operation is crucial, as it coincides with low tide, which is expected to facilitate a safer lifting process despite the strong currents in the Scheldt. The company has described the operation as technically routine, although they acknowledge that the current conditions at the site may pose challenges.
The lifting process is estimated to take between two and three hours. Fortunately, weather conditions appear favorable, with no rain expected to disrupt the salvage efforts. The company has assured that the operation will be conducted with utmost care to minimize any potential environmental impact.
Salvage Completed for North Sea Cargo Ship Involved in 2023 Collision
Incident Overview and Next Steps
The Sola Gratia sank on April 18 near the entrance to the Royers Lock, which is currently out of service. Following the incident, emergency divers successfully rescued two individuals from the water. Cleanup efforts were promptly initiated to address fuel leaks from the vessel, and the ship’s owner and insurer have committed to removing the wreck within two weeks.
In preparation for the salvage, the cargo of sand was removed earlier this week and pumped back into the Scheldt. Multraship has emphasized that the quantity of sand involved is too small to create any risk of forming a sandbank. Once the Sola Gratia is raised, salvage teams will pump out any remaining water from the holds before relocating the vessel to a secure area alongside the mooring posts. The final destination for the ship has yet to be determined.
