Royal Wagenborg’s multipurpose freighter “Thamesborg” has been stuck in the Canadian Arctic since September 6 with more than 19,000 tons of cargo for an aluminum plant. The ship ran aground in the Franklin Strait.
The 21,359 tdw multipurpose freighter “Thamesborg” owned by shipping company Royal Wagenborg has been stuck in the Canadian Arctic since 6 September with more than 19,000 tons of cargo for an aluminium plant. The ship, which was built in 2013, ran aground off Prince of Wales Island in the Franklin Strait on its way from the Chinese port of Lianyungang to Baie Comeau (Québec).
According to the shipping company, the outer hull and ballast tanks are damaged, but the cargo holds and fuel tanks are intact. No injuries or visible marine pollution were reported. A salvage plan is to be presented by the end of the week.
Wagenborg has concluded a “Lloyd’s Open Form” (LOF) with the salvage company T&T Salvage. The work will be supervised by the German expert Dennis Brand (Brand Marine Consultants) as Special Casualty Representative (SCR). The salvage is being carried out under a special clause (“Scopic”), which provides for remuneration based on time and use of materials. This indicates an increased risk of total loss.
Location in the Arctic makes salvage work more difficult
The location of the stricken vessel in the Arctic and the approaching icing are making the work particularly difficult. The Franklin Strait is only passable in August and September. Conditions deteriorate considerably from mid-October. The “Thamesborg” has loaded 19,500 tons of carbon blocks for aluminium production and is equipped with four of its own cranes (each up to 120 tons). Initial operations have already had to be postponed due to bad weather.
Two Canadian Coast Guard vessels and two salvage experts hired by Wagenborg are currently on site. Further specialized equipment is expected to arrive within seven days. Part of the cargo will probably have to be lightered to free the freighter. The costs will primarily be borne by the maritime hull market. According to industry sources, the “Thamesborg” is covered by the Norwegian Hull Club (NHC) as lead insurer. Should wreck removal become necessary, the P&I insurers would step in. The P&I club of the “Thamesborg” is NorthStandard, based in Newcastle.
