Barge Sinks With $38 Million in Power Cables Aboard

AMT Explorer loaded with cables. Photo courtesy Global Marine Systems/Flickr

While loaded with a USD $38 million cargo of power cables destined for the North Sea, the 1984-built cable barge AMT Explorer capsized and sank on 3 July while approximately 50 miles southwest of Sardinia.

The cargo is owned by cable manufacturer Prysmian and according to a statement released by the company, destined to connect the TenneT-operated Butendiek and Deutsche Bucht wind farms offshore Germany.

Prysmian notes that Smit Salvage has been contracted to conduct the vessel and cargo salvage.