Kea Trader splits in two

News 16 Nov 2017 by WCN Editorial

After continued pounding in heavy seas the stricken 2,194 TEU container ship has split in two.

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The vessel owner Lomar Shipping had warned previously that the KEA TRADER, whcih has been stuck fast on a reef of the coast of Noumea, had sustained considerable damage. As salvage efforts wore on over four months it became increasingly unlikely the vessel would be refloated. It finally broke in two after “Noticeable vertical buckling in the mid-section of the hull side expanded during violent six-metre waves,” Lomar said in a statement.

“Each remain in situ, although the break up and heavy seas resulted in two container units falling into the water. They are being monitored, as is the vessel itself, by two tugs that remain on site, along with specialist anti-pollution contractors,” Lomar added. Authorities from Noumea have also been flying over the vessel, and have noted some pollution was visible after the breakup.

Salvage efforts have removed almost all the fuel oil from the vessel, and 648 of the 756 containers on board, which included some virtually new reefer containers owned by Seatrade.

Work to remove vessel’s remaining containers had been on-going in recent weeks, although 108 were still on board of the original 756 units. This effort had been hampered by poor weather on site.

A Lomar spokesman said: “Damage to the vessel has increased with every month that she has been hard aground. A noticeable buckling in the hull side developed following an unsuccessful re-floating attempt at the beginning of October, along with other clear damage to the bottom of the vessel. Whilst this has all been closely monitored and assessed by specialist structural engineers, a heavy storm at the weekend added substantial additional stress and caused the ship to split into two. We remain committed to removing the vessel whilst also ensuring that the marine environment is protected and will be working with our partners to ensure this is realised.”

There has still been no explanation of how the vessel, a brand new container ship delivered in January 2017 from the Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in China, came to run aground on July 12.