Hoegh Autoliners says it will require around 30h to pump out up to 3,000t of water which has poured into its Osaka vessel carrying 1,300 cars and ahead of severe storms expected to batter southern Britain tomorrow (9 January).
The Hoegh Osaka is currently around two miles east of the Bramble Bank near Southampton, onto which it was driven on 3 January following a heavy list on departure, but the bad weather heading across the Atlantic could see any salvage take up to a week to complete.
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The 51,000t ship unexpectedly righted itself yesterday allowing for a tow off the bank, but more water has leaked on board than anticipated, leading to something of a headache for the salvage operation and the cars inside.
“The salvers indicated there was an excess of water – it is 3,000t – therefore it is surprising to everyone it came off the bank yesterday,” a spokesman for Hoegh Osaka owners Hoegh Autoliners told just-auto from Southampton.
“I accept and understand the de-watering has to go on, that is quite a considerable excess, [around] 30h to de-water…and of course getting the equipment, hoses in, we think the whole operation is five to seven days.”
The huge vessel is already twisting in the water although tugs are attempting to hold her in “excessive gusts of wind,” leading to the possible deployment of two forward anchors.
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By GlobalDataA further complication is the very steep angle of 50 degrees at which the ship is banking and with winds predicted to gust at up to 44kt, any use of helicopters to assist the salvage could also be hampered.
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) says an oily film has formed on top of the 3,000t of water from the hydraulics of the vehicles on board, with salvers using a technique drawing liquid from the bottom of the vessel to avoid this film. Removal of the water should reduce the vessel’s list.
Before the Hoegh Osaka can be moved back to the Port of Southampton, divers need to make a hull inspection, while ballasting operations need to be undertaken to alleviate the list.
The car manifest includes around 1,200 Jaguars, Land Rovers, BMWs and one Rolls-Royce Wraith, as well as 105 JCB machines, but an emailed statement to just-auto from JLR declined to add anything to previous comments noting the number of its vehicles on board.
Hoegh Autoliners operates a fleet of 60 ships specialised in car transportation around the world, with the operator making 3,500 port calls in 2013.
Despite its size, the Hoegh Osaka is in the mid-range of the company’s vessels, with ships ranging from the 1,950 car equivalent unit, (CEU) Hoegh Cariba, to the leviathan Hoegh Berlin at 7,850 CEU.
