Multraship Refloats Capsized Cargo Ship

Salvage and towage company Multraship has refloated the Egyptian-flagged Al Shaymaa after the 5,744 gt, 1981-built general cargo vessel capsized in the southern Netherlands port of Moerdijk while discharging a cargo of steel coils. The vessel has now been safely redelivered to its owner.

Reports indicate that the vessel’s cargo started shifting during discharge, and Tereneuzen-headquartered Multraship was engaged on a Lloyd’s Open Form of salvage agreement at around 0400hrs on August 15. After the crew had been safely taken off, Multraship, working in co-operation with Belgian salvage specialist URS, discharged the Al Shaymaa’s remaining cargo of steel coils using mobile shore cranes, before ballasting the vessel and restoring it to an upright, stable position. The floating sheerlegs Amsterdam was stationed at the Al Shaymaa’s stern, and a double-strength salvage team comprising salvage officers, naval architects, divers, riggers and stevedores was on site throughout the operation, during which the salvage tugs Barracuda, Furie 3 and Zephyrus, all equipped with pumps and fire-fighting equipment, were on standby.