Asia/Pacific News
Debunkering by Helicopter of Grounded Newbuild Kea Trader Now Underway
The High Commissioner of the Republic in New Caledonia says the debunkering of newbuild container ship Kea Trader, which last month grounded on the Durand Reef within New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean, is now underway.
The operations to remove some 700 metric tonnes (mt) of HFO are understood to have begun on July 27.
Officials say the bunkers are being pumped into tanks and then transferred to the Chasseloup barge by helicopter.
A second helicopter, chartered by the shipowner, should allow the debunkering to be completed within two weeks, they added.
A Lomar spokesman, speaking to Tradewinds, said conditions were "favourable" and confirmed expectation that the operations will be completed by next week.
"Once finished, a detailed strategy for the complex task of removing containers and re-floating the vessel, whilst also protecting the local marine environment, can then move ahead," they said.
Kea Trader, a 2,190 TEU capacity Chinese-built Sub Panamax box ship, is valued at $20.26 million by VesselsValue.com.
