Authorities in New Caledonia have approved a plan to take fuel and lubricants off a new Lomar Shipping boxship that grounded on a reef on 12 July.
The company told TradeWinds that salvage company Ardent has assembled experts and equipment to safely move the 2,194-teu Kea Trader (built 2017) in the South Pacific, but admitted the operation would be a "lengthy process."
The ship was sailing from Papeete, in French Polynesia, to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, loaded with 750 container units.
Further resources are expected at the site near the island of Mare in the coming days.
This includes around 25 tonnes of equipment that arrived by cargo aircraft in New Caledonia from Sydney and the Netherlands, and is being transported to the vessel by helicopter and barge.
"Whilst there has been no visible trace of pollution, oil spill prevention measures and equipment are on site and a detailed plan has been approved by the authorities in New Caledonia to remove the fuel and lubricating oil from the vessel," Lomar said.
Ardent’s work is also being supported by naval architects, marine environment and other salvage experts.
A final plan for refloating Kea Trader is due to be put forward to the authorities in the coming days.
A spokesman said: “Over the past six days we have assembled a growing team of experts to support this salvage operation – to safely refloat the vessel and at the same time protect the local marine environment.
"We are very grateful for the rapid and ongoing support of the authorities in New Caledonia and from numerous other organisations.”
There has been no indication so far as to what caused the grounding.
