Join our crew and become one of the 104,502 members that receive our newsletter.

msc zoe containers

Rough Weather Hampers MSC Zoe Container Cleanup

Reuters
Total Views: 67
January 9, 2019

A handout aerial photo made available by the Dutch Coastguard on January 3, 2019 shows floating container that have fallen from the container ship MSC ZOE. Dutch Coastguard/Handout via REUTERS

reuters logoLONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Clean-up efforts after a container ship spill off the Dutch coast are being hampered by rough weather although progress is being made, the Swiss based vessel’s owner MSC said on Wednesday.

In one of the worst incidents off the coast of the Netherlands, more than 250 containers – some holding hazardous chemicals – fell off the MSC Zoe, one of the world’s largest container ships, during a North Sea storm on Jan. 2.

“This week, a storm is impacting the area being cleaned and unfortunately this will interrupt some operations,” MSC said on Wednesday. The accident happened in German waters near the Dutch island of Borkum.

MSC, the world’s no. 2 container shipping group, said it had made significant progress on the Dutch islands of Terschelling, Vlieland, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog in the Wadden Sea and on the mainland, with a total of 1,220 tonnes of debris collected so far.

At least one container load of organic peroxide, a strong bleaching agent that can cause skin injuries, was lost, a Dutch official said last week. Residents were told not to touch 25-kg bags found on the shore.

MSC said on Saturday it would pay the full cost of the clean-up and would also ensure Dutch and German beaches were surveyed until all debris from the incident had been cleared.

Dutch authorities had earlier said they would hold MSC liable for the cost of the clean-up. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019.

Tags:

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,502 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

Join Our Crew

Join the 104,502 members that receive our newsletter.