‘Complex’ operation refloats grounded ship in Northwest Passage

A cargo ship that was grounded for 33 days in the Northwest Passage has been refloated and will soon be on its way to a port of refuge.

Royal Wagenborg, the Dutch shipping company that owns the Thamesborg, announced the update Thursday in a news release.

“The complex refloating operation involved the transfer of over 5,000 tons of cargo,” said company spokesperson Guus van der Linde in the release.

The Thamesborg ran aground on a rocky shoal off the Boothia Peninsula in the Franklin Strait on Sept. 6. It had been transporting a load of carbon blocks from China to Baie Comeau, Que., for industrial use.

Two nearby vessels — the Silver Copenhagen and the Nunalik — took on the cargo, which reduced the Thamesborg’s weight.

Another ship, the Botnica, played a central role in the Thamesborg’s recovery. It brought specialized equipment to reduce the amount of water in the Thamesborg’s damaged ballast tanks, which allowed a salvaging crew to stabilize and dislodge the ship from where it ran around.

Once Canadian officials inspect the Thamesborg and clear it for travel, it will be on its way to a port of refuge — a location a ship in distress can be transferred safely to — that is yet to be determined.

The Botnica will be available to escort the Thamesborg once it starts making its way out of the area. It will be able to escort the Thamesborg, provide a tow or break ice, if needed.

There have been no injuries or pollution reported over the past month.

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the incident.