[Photos] Damaged Vessel on Kiel Canal Successfully Refloated

During the early morning hours of 28 October 2013, a 2881gt general cargo ship laden with approximately 3,700 metric tons of urea collided with an LPG carrier during adverse weather in the Kiel Canal near Brunsbüttel, Germany.  The cargo ship sustained a breach to the port sideshell plating resulting in water ingress and a severe 22 degree list to port.  The vessel was pushed into the embankment resulting in the closure of the busy Kiel Canal. 

Vessel owners and underwriters promptly engaged T&T Salvage, a division of US based Teichman Group, to render assistance under LOF 2011 terms. T&T Salvage promptly mobilized personnel out of Germany and Holland to the site and teamed up with local contractors, Bugsier Reederei and Schramm Group.

Personnel, tugs and emergency pumping equipment were immediately mobilized to the site and the vessel was held along the embankment.  Pollution prevention measures, including booming, were implemented.

Once the vessel was stabilized and secured, utilizing a hold back system to the shore, the Kiel Canal was reopened to traffic allowing cargo removal and dewatering operations to commence.

The vessel was successfully uprighted on 6 November without the assistance of any external floating cranes and was safely towed to the South Quay at Brunsbüttel for inspection and temporary repairs.