Shipping giant Maersk has completed the operation of salvaging lost containers in the Jammerbugt Bay after nearly four months of work. The company lost a total of 46 containers during a violent storm just before Christmas last year, but has now formally concluded the rescue operation.
In a press release, Maersk announced that they have managed to salvage wreckage from 21 containers, which equates to 17 whole containers. Additionally, they have removed 44,400 kilograms of plastic and rubber from the seabed.
According to Kristian Brauner, Fleet Operations Manager at Maersk, it has been a challenging task as many of the container wrecks were broken and partially buried in the sand. He describes the salvaging work as “the art of the possible.”
“Of course, we had hoped to find and salvage all 46 containers, but unfortunately this was not possible,” Brauner stated.
Out of the lost containers, five washed ashore, while 21 were found on the seabed in the first three months of the year. The remaining 20 containers remain missing.
It was on December 22nd that the cargo ship Mayview Maersk lost the containers at sea approximately 30 kilometers off the coast of Hanstholm. Subsequently, a variety of goods washed ashore, including refrigerators, compressors, medical equipment, and shoes.
Maersk expanded their search area at the time to find more containers, but this did not lead to further discoveries. As all the containers were broken to some extent, the shipping company expects that most of the floating cargo has already washed ashore.
“Should new items wash ashore or pose a danger to navigation, we will take the necessary measures,” reassures Kristian Brauner.