Netherlands removes Baltic Ace wreck

The Baltic Ace incident took place in December 2012 when the Corvus J and the Baltic Ace collided at full cruising speed. The accident occurred outside Rotterdam in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The Baltic Ace sank within 10 minutes with the wreck severely obstructing the passage of marine traffic above.

There were 470 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board which were removed during 2014. In spring 2015 the operation to cut the ship into sections and take it to a recycling facility ashore started. Divers checked the seabed for remaining items and a response vessel was in the vicinity in case of any residual oil spills.

The wreck removal operation is due to be completed by October 2015 and the total salvage operation will cost €67 million. Ships will be able to sail safely again and the wreck will no longer pose a risk to the marine environment.

Youtube video of the Baltic Ace wreck removal (in Dutch): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03okBOXPsVc

HD Film of the Baltic Ace wreck removal (in English): http://we.tl/OsHRbCMyW1