Rijkswaterstaat to Salvage Baltic Ace
The Dutch infrastructure agency Rijkswaterstaat is tendering the salvage contract for the sunken car carrier Baltic Ace. As the wreck poses a threat to safe and efficient shipping and the marine environment, the agency has decided to proceed with the salvage operation of the ship in its entirety. The contract is expected to be awarded in early 2014, with the salvage operations taking place in 2014 and 2015. Last week Yellow & Finch Publishers joined Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen of the Dutch Infrastructure and Environment Ministry at the salvage of the Ariana, one of four works contracted to Boskalis and Van den Herik, Sliedrecht (including the Jan Breydel, pictured).
Salvage
Over the last few months, Rijkswaterstaat has researched the various options for the recovery of the ship and its cargo. This includes the recovery of about 540,000 litres of fuel oil on board the vessel. Due to the high risks to the environment and shipping , the agency decided that the ship should be salvaged in its entirety.
The vessel’s owner informed the Rijkswaterstaat that it does not intend to take any further measures and distance itself from the wreck. Following international treaties, Rijkswaterstaat can only collect part of the salvage costs from the owners. Much of the cost will be borne by the Dutch State.
Collision
On Christmas Eve 2012, a collision took place about 65 km off Goedereede between the Baltic Ace and the container ship Corvus J. The Baltic Ace, loaded with more than 1,400 cars, sank immediately. Of the 24 crew members, 13 survived the accident. The wreck lies in the high traffic route to the port of Rotterdam and is thus a danger to other shipping.
Rijkswaterstaat is part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and responsible for the design, construction, management and maintenance of the main infrastructure facilities in the Netherlands.