One year on, the MSC Baltic III is still stranded

It has been more than a year since the containership MSC Baltic III ran aground approximately 12 nautical miles off the entrance to Bay of Islands, Newfoundland in Canada.

The vessel grounded in Cedar Cove, near the community of Lark Harbour, following strong winds and severe weather on 15 February 2025. The vessel’s 20 crew members were safely evacuated and the Canadian Coast Guard shifted its focus to removing fuel and cargo to mitigate environmental risks from the grounded ship.

All 20 individuals on board were airlifted to safety, with three requiring hospitalization. One year later, the ship remains at the grounding site with visible hull damage and cracking have been reported, as harsh winter conditions, including heavy seas and freezing temperatures, have left parts of the vessel coated in ice. The stern has reportedly settled onto the seabed.

According to the latest update from the Canadian Coast Guard, winter weather and significant ice accumulation continue to restrict access to the MSC Baltic III and limit ongoing operations. A dive survey conducted on 5 February assessed the hull’s condition and checked for signs of pollution, with no new damage or environmental impact detected.

Ice coverage has recently been observed in Cedar Cove around the vessel, and icy conditions and freezing spray are expected to persist throughout the winter months.

The Canadian Coast Guard continues to monitor the vessel and surrounding shoreline for any signs of pollution, as weather conditions permit.

source : safety4sea