On Tuesday morning, 3 June, work began to salvage the bulk carrier Ali Aykin, which has been aground in Öresund, near Klagshamn, since May 25. The salvage company hired by the ship’s owner is unloading parts of the cargo. The Swedish Coast Guard is supervising the salvage.
To lighten the grounded vessel, parts of the cargo are now being unloaded onto an adjacent barge. The Swedish Coast Guard vessel KBV 034, with oil spill response capabilities, is nearby in case oil reaches the water. Additional rescue equipment is on its way to the scene.
What is happening on and near the Ali Aykin follows the salvage plan that was decided on Monday. The Swedish Coast Guard and Swedish Transport Agency have assessed that the risks of the salvage work are now at an acceptable level.
Also read: Bulk carrier aground in Sweden is taking on water
Time line still unclear
It is still unclear when the ship can be refloated. After being refloated, the ship will be taken to port for further inspections before the Swedish Transport Agency can give the go-ahead for continued voyages or repairs at a shipyard.
A crew member remains in custody on suspicion of gross negligence in maritime traffic. A second crew member was suspected of drunkenness. Prosecutors are leading the preliminary investigation, with support from the Swedish Coast Guard.
Also read: Bulk carrier grounds in Sweden, drunkenness suspected
Ali Aykin grounding
The Ali Aykin is a 93-metre-long bulk carrier loaded with scrap metal. According to VesselFinder, it was built in 1999, sails under the flag of St Vincent Grenadines and was en route to Setubal in Portugal after it had left Gdansk, Poland, on 23 May. It ran aground at 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning (25 May) while it was heading north, into the Öresund. There are currently no signs that oil has entered the water. There are approximately 69,000 litres of diesel oil on board.
It is aground alongside the fairway, according to the Swedish Coast Guard and does not hinder shipping in the area.
Picture by the Swedish Coast Guard.
