After months of effort, responders have successfully removed the majority of marine fuel from the damaged container vessel MSC Baltic III, significantly reducing the risk of environmental pollution.

Taking advantage of calmer summer weather along the coast of Newfoundland, the salvage team deployed a barge to the site of the MSC Baltic III to offload containers. The same barge also removed over 1,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the vessel’s fuel tanks and transported it to the Port of Corner Brook for safe handling. It is estimated that the vessel was carrying approximately 1,600 tonnes of fuel at the time of grounding. These pollution prevention efforts have helped minimize the environmental threat to Newfoundland’s pristine coastline.

On February 15, the MSC Baltic III ran aground on the western coast of Newfoundland during severe weather conditions. In a high-risk helicopter operation, all 20 crew members were safely evacuated.

Salvage operations have faced considerable challenges due to the vessel's remote location, difficult site access, and frequent winter storms in the North Atlantic. Nevertheless, responders have made steady progress, with approximately 200 containers relocated to secure locations—some of which were significantly damaged. Work to mitigate the risks of cargo and fuel-related pollution is still ongoing.

The vessel remains firmly lodged on the rocks and has sustained serious hull damage since grounding. Under current conditions, refloating is considered unfeasible. Salvage crews are now hoping that favorable weather will last long enough to complete the offloading operations before hurricane season increases the risks again.

Local residents are closely monitoring the situation, as the maritime industry is central to the region’s economy. “Our biggest concern, of course, is pollution,” said Lark Harbour Mayor Wade Park in an interview with CBC. “We want to make sure there’s no contamination, no danger—fisheries are the backbone of our community, and polluted waters would be devastating for us.”