Five salvage companies have bid for the wreck-removal contract to dismantle the remaining stern section of the 203,000-dwt bulker Wakashio (built 2007).
The tender has now closed and a short list is expected to be drawn up by the end of the week.
A strong favourite for the job to remove the stern of the Wakashio, which ran aground and broke in two off the coast of Mauritius, is likely to be a joint bid from Netherlands-based Smit Salvage and Japan’s Nippon Salvage.
Smit has a track record of dealing with some of the shipping’s most difficult wreck removals. The salvor was appointed the emergency response contractor to the Wakashio when the ship originally grounded in July this year.
The company has equipment and men already on site and has first hand knowledge of the condition of the remaining wreck.
Smit's partnership with Japanese contractor Nippon Salvage is also being viewed as an advantage.
The wreck removal is being managed by Japan P&I Club, protection and indemnity insurer of the Wakashio. The ship was Japanese-owned and operated, and the Japanese government and private sector are very closely involved with the clean-up and environmental recovery operations.
Others understood to have bid for the job include US-based salvage operator Resolve Marine, which also has a track record handling similar salvage operations.
One of the regional Chinese salvage companies operating under the state-backed China Rescue and Salvage Company is also understood to have submitted an offer.
The fifth bidder is not known.
The winner will have a difficult job on its hands. The Mauritius authorities want the wreck cleared from the reef at Pointe d’Esny on the east of the island as soon as possible. It is hoped the successful candidate can begin work on the job as early as November.
There is also likely to be a strong emphasis on environmental protection and the successful bidder will be expected to take extensive precautions to prevent further pollution occurring or causing damage to the coral reefs.
The wreck is also located in an exposed area which could mean local sea conditions and weather might delay the progress of the operation.
At least three people have already died in work related to the environmental clean up which will put an added emphasis on safety in the wreck removal job.
The Wakashio grounded on the coast of Mauritius on 25 July, spilling 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the surrounding coastline.
The wreck broke in two and the forward section floated free before being towed out and scuttled in the Indian Ocean.
