Around 750 tonnes of oil from a grounded Lomar Shipping containership have been extracted and the focus has now shifted to the removal of containers that could take several months.
The London-based company said two helicopters were used to transport oil, in tanks, onto a nearby barge, in a process lasting 15 days.
Lomar’s 2,194-teu Kea Trader (built 2017) grounded off New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean a month ago.
An improvement in weather conditions last weekend allowed salvors to begin trials to remove containers using the ship’s own cranes.
Of the vessel’s 756 containers, 553 were empty and destined for onward shipments.
Six boxes have already been transferred onto a barge.
A spokesman from Lomar said in a statement: “Good progress has been made over the last week with all of the heavy fuel oil now having been extracted from the vessel.
“The focus has now turned to the removal of the containers onboard. However the Kea Trader is in a remote part of the Pacific, which has made and will continue to make this procedure lengthy and complex in nature.”
Lomar added the container removal will be undertaken by a specialist Sikorsky Skycrane heavylift helicopter, a crane barge and the vessel’s own gear. It could take several months to complete.
It also said the ship remains in a stable condition on the Durand Reefs and more updates will be provided as the situation develops.
