The dismantling of the 7,500-tonne stern of MV Wakashio, the Japanese oil vessel that ran aground on the reefs of Pointe-d’Esny in Mauritius on 25th July 2020 has commenced, with plans to recycle its parts.
According to reports, the operation, which started on Monday and is being handled by experts from the Chinese company Lianyungang Dali Underwater Engineering, should be completed in March.
After the dismantling, the parts will be transported on a special barge to Port-Louis’ harbor before being handed over to a local scrap metal recycling specialist.
The vessel was carrying nearly 4,000 tonnes of oil when it got stuck on the reefs in July 2020 and spilled nearly 1000 tonnes of its content, causing an ecological disaster. It later broke into two and the bow was scuttled in August by the Dutch salvage company Smit International, while the stern remained on the coral reefs.
Three tugs and a Chinese barge have been deployed for the operation.
Trucks have been mobilised to transport the parts of the ship that will be cut up and sent for recycling.
225-meter long MV Wakashio was on its way from China to Brazil when it approached the Mauritian coast to pick up a cell phone signal on July 25, 2020 when it ran aground.
After the bow was sunk in high seas, at least 17 dead dolphins were found on the coast off the Indian Ocean nation.
In June 2016, the MV Benita got stuck on the reefs of Le Bouchon, some kilometres away from Pointe d’Esny, while on its way to Durban. A brawl in the machine room led to that previous accident.