Thamesborg remains aground in Canadian Arctic as salvage efforts continue
The general cargo vessel Thamesborg, with a deadweight of 21,359 tons under the Dutch flag, has been aground for four days following an incident in the Northwest Passage. The vessel grounded on September 6 near Prince of Wales Island in Nunavut, Canada, while transiting Franklin Strait en route from China to Eastern Canada.
Damage and vessel condition
According to owner Wagenborg, an initial inspection by the crew revealed damage to the hull and several ballast tanks. However, the fuel tanks and cargo holds remain intact, preventing any fuel spill.
Rescue efforts
-
The Canadian Coast Guard deployed assets to the site, with the icebreaker CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier arriving first, equipped with a rescue boat and helicopter.
-
On September 8, the vessel CCGS Jean Goodwill carried out a hull inspection using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
-
Salvage specialists are working with the crew to develop a plan for safely refloating the vessel.
The Coast Guard stressed that the shipowner is responsible for all costs and any measures required to mitigate risks, including cleanup or repairs.
Possible causes
Experts point out that:
-
many Canadian Arctic navigation charts are outdated, based on surveys from the 1980s;
-
shoals shown on maps may not have complete outlines;
-
rapidly changing sea ice conditions often force vessels to deviate from established safe corridors.
“Arctic navigation remains extremely challenging despite greater seasonal accessibility in recent years,” said Jackie Dawson, Arctic shipping expert and professor at the University of Ottawa. She noted that shifting ice dynamics likely contributed to the vessel’s route choice, which led to the grounding.
Background
-
Thamesborg, built in 2013, has an ice class of 1A.
-
Operated by Dutch shipping company Wagenborg.
-
Designed for operations in the Baltic and Arctic waters.
The cause of the grounding remains under investigation.
