DUTCH-based salvage and towage company Multraship says it has refloated the 74,403 dwt bulk carrier Trans Pacific east of the island of Samso in the Danish Great Belt. The 2004-built vessel was carrying a cargo of 68,978 tons of potash when it grounded on sand and gravel on January 27.

On January 28, Multraship mobilised a salvage team and equipment, including a number of salvage tugs, divers, anti-pollution equipment, a bunker barge, and the Spliethoff vessel Alexandergracht. About 1,000 tons of bunkers were transferred to the bunker barges, while roughly 10,000 tons of the potash cargo was offloaded into the Alexandergracht.

Despite severe weather conditions, in driving rain and up to Force 11 winds the salvage team refloated the vessel at high water late on the evening of February 6 with, Multraship says “full co-operation from the Danish authorities”. The Trans Pacific was then towed to Kalundborg Roads, where a diving inspection is planned prior to reloading of the cargo.

More information:

- pictures of Trans Pacific

source: Maritime Global Net