Rijkswaterstaat, part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, will soon invite tenders for the removal of the sunk car carrier Baltic Ace.
Because the wreck forms a danger to shipping and the marine environment, Rijkswaterstaat has decided to remove the wreck in its entirety. It is expected that early 2014 a salvage company can be contracted for the job after which the salvage operation will take place in 2014 and 2015.
Removing 540,000 Liters of Oil
Over the past few months Rijkswaterstaat has done research into the different options for removing the ship and its cargo. Part of the salvage operation is the removal of 540,000 liters of oil that is still on board. Due to the high risks to the environment and shipping, it has been decided to remove the entire ship.
Dutch Government to Pay Most of the Salvage Costs
The ship’s owner has informed Rijkswaterstaat that he will take no further action and has renounced ownership of the wreck. Due to international treaties, Rijkswaterstaat can only partially recover the salvage costs from the owners. Therefore, a large part of the costs will be paid by the government.
Ship Collision Baltic Ace and Corvus J
On 5 December 2012 a collision took place approximately 65 km off Goedereede between the Baltic Ace and the container ship Corvus J. The Baltic Ace, carrying over 1400 cars, sank immediately. Of 24 crew members, only thirteen survived. The wreck is in a busy shipping route to the port of Rotterdam making it a danger to other ships.
