MARITIME AND
COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (001 - 09) issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 6 January 2009
A major contract
to remove the stern of the container vessel MSC Napoli has been
awarded to the newly-established company Global Response Maritime
B.V., based in The Netherlands.
The contract, placed by the vessel owners, calls for the
clearance of a stern section with an estimated weight of around
3,800 tonnes.
MSC Napoli became a casualty during a violent Channel storm in
January 2007. The vessel was beached deliberately, in order to
prevent her sinking in the English Channel. Subsequent operations,
by other contractors, included recovery of bunkers, containers and
the forepart of the ship.
The work scope under the new contract involves the total removal
of the stern, including main engine, together with delivery of all
scrap to the recovery facility of Scheepssloperij Nederland B.V at
Gravendeel, in The Netherlands.
G.R. Maritime B.V. has been formed by Joint Managing Directors
Klaas J. Reinigert and Paul Glerum. Paul Glerum says: "This
project is an excellent launch-pad for the new venture, which will
develop as a major response service provider."
The equipment required for removal of MSC Napoli's stern
includes the crane barge "Anna" of subcontractor Hapo
International Barges, two 140 m flat-top barges equipped with
heavy mobile cranes and two tugs. The task also requires diving
and drilling spreads and a series of 24 chain-pullers.
The project method involves drilling under the stern and the
positioning of lifting chains. This part of the operation is
subcontracted to DISA in Beerse, Belgium, using crane barge
"Anna" as the main work platform. Chain pullers will be
installed on the two lifting barges. These will be moored parallel
to the stern section. The chains will then be connected up to the
pullers and tensioned. The barges will be ballasted down, to
compensate for the forces acting on the pullers and reduce
movement in the swell.
With all preparations completed, the stern will be lifted clear
of the seabed - freeing the starboard bilge keel from the trench
in which the stern is embedded. At this point, the two barges will
be in catamaran configuration, with the stern section suspended
between them. Next they will be rotated bow into swell.
The barges' mooring systems will be reinforced with grout
anchors. It will be possible to set down the stern, should this be
necessary in hostile weather.
Scrapping will commence when the pullers bring the wreck to the
surface. Sections with weights of around 100 tonnes will be cut
and lifted onto the main decks of the barges, utilising the two
cranes. This operation will continue until the weight is reduced
to around 1,200 tonnes. A decision will then be taken as to
whether to lift this as one unit with the assistance of a
sheerlegs or continue cutting until it is within the capacity of
the larger of the two cranes (rated at 500 tonnes). This crane
will also recover the poop deck, rudder and propeller - which are
already detached from the stern.
On the project's timeframe, Klaas Reinigert says:
"During the first quarter of 2009 we will start test
drilling. We plan to be ready to start lifting in June, following
the drilling and pulling of 12 chains under the stern. We should
finish the project during August."
Monitoring the project on behalf of the Government, the Secretary
of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and
Intervention, Hugh Shaw said
"I am delighted that the Owners have placed another contract
for the removal of the final section of the MSC NAPOLI. From the
onset of the incident they have shown tremendous resolve and
commitment to remove the bunkers, cargo and the wreck. This
contract marks the final piece of the jigsaw and I look forward to
a successful operation."
Press releases and further information about the Agency is
available on the Web at http://www.mcga.gov.uk