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Shipwrecked Giant: Wreckage Cleared After Year on Coast
2 Jun
Summary
- A massive cargo vessel grounded for over a year is now being dismantled.
- Workers are clearing land and breaking the ship into parts for recycling.
- Cleanup costs for the damaged MSC Baltic III will be covered by insurance.
More than a year after running aground, a massive cargo vessel is undergoing a complex dismantling process on Newfoundland's west coast. The MSC Baltic III, which grounded during a severe storm in February 2025, has been sitting crooked and heavily damaged in Cedar Cove. Its hull suffered significant damage from ice and wind over the past winter, making it impossible to tow.
Dozens of workers are currently on-site, clearing land and breaking the ship into smaller pieces. Over 400 cargo containers and approximately 1,700 tonnes of fuel have already been removed from the vessel. The ship will be transported by truck to a recycling facility in Stephenville. This intricate operation, managed by Resolve Marine, is expected to take at least one year to complete.
Insurance companies for the ship's owner, Mediterranean Shipping Company, are responsible for the unknown cleanup costs. While the grounded ship has become an unusual tourist attraction, concerns have been raised about the deterioration of local coastal roads due to increased traffic from the salvage operation. Resolve Marine has committed to restoring the site, but road repairs remain unaddressed.
