Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Ncl-Salten

After an extensive wait of over eight months, Jostein Jørgensen has finally returned to his residence in Byneset, located in the picturesque Trondheimsfjord. This return follows the grounding incident of the container ship 'NCL Salten', which is now known as the 'Odyssey'. The incident occurred on May 25, 2025, just a stone’s throw from Jørgensen's neighbor's property, leading to significant changes in the landscape. The attempts to extricate the grounded vessel faced multiple challenges, including landslides that prompted the evacuation of four homes in the vicinity. Thankfully, the house closest to the stranded ship remained safe and was not evacuated. The prolonged operation to manage the situation was complicated by disputes over the financial responsibility for the landslide protection measures. In total, the local municipality allocated 10 million Norwegian crowns toward recovery efforts, while the state contributed an additional 4 million. The aftermath of this incident has altered the local geography dramatically, transforming a once tranquil beach into a steep, imposing cliff.

The Jørgensen family has been displaced from their home in Byneset, located near Trondheim, for the past five months following the grounding of the 'NCL Salten'. This incident was triggered by a mudslide and ongoing concerns regarding additional landslides in the area. However, they may be able to return by Christmas as critical security measures are now in progress. The current safety initiative involves removing unstable materials and replacing them with more stable alternatives, a process expected to take approximately one month. The total expenditure for this endeavor is estimated at 13 million kroner, which will be jointly funded by state and municipal authorities, while efforts are being made to hold the responsible parties accountable for the costs incurred. During the operation, excessive clay is excavated and transported via barge, making way for the introduction of solid materials for reinforcement. This includes layering a fine gravel base followed by a coarser top layer. In total, around 20,000 tons of rock sourced from Ottersbo in Ørlandet will be utilized to enhance the safety of the area. For further details and visuals on the ongoing work, check out the photo report at NRK: https://www.nrk.no/trondelag/fikk-containerskipet-ncl-salten-utafor-stuevinduet-_-na-skal-omradet-endelig-sikres-1.17624136

The recent grounding of the 'NCL Salten', which has been docked at Fosen Yard in Rissa since June 20, has been identified as the direct cause of a significant landslide in the Byneset district of Trondheim. Occurring on the night of May 22, the incident has raised concerns for the Trondheim municipality, which is now looking at potentially costly security efforts to address the damages caused. According to a geotechnical report, the pressure exerted by the vessel on the soft clay formations along the beach precipitated a rupture, resulting in a landslide that spanned 250-300 meters. The area's underlying soil composition, characterized by its high clay content, poses an increased vulnerability to such landslides. As a proactive measure, the municipality is taking steps to reinforce the area against additional erosion. Both Tomas Eidsmo, the technical manager for Trondheim Municipality, and Mayor Kent Ranum have indicated their view that the shipping company bears financial responsibility for the consequences of the event. Meanwhile, the legal representatives for the shipping company have expressed sympathy towards those impacted and indicated that discussions are ongoing with the municipality and local landowners. The 'NCL Salten' is owned by Waterway Shipping Ltd., operated by Baltnautic Shipmanagement UAB, and chartered by North Sea Container Line. For further details, you can view the report along with photographs at NRK's coverage.

On May 30 at 8 a.m., the 'NCL Salten' was successfully towed to Fosen Shipyard located at Kvithylla in Fosen, Norway. The vessel, currently declared unseaworthy due to significant bottom damage, required the assistance of two tugs for the journey. Compounding matters, one of its propellers was found to be blocked with clay following the grounding incident. The ship's transit across the fjord from Orkanger to Fosen was anticipated to last approximately one hour. As of now, the duration of the repairs at the shipyard remains uncertain. Investigations by the Norwegian Maritime Authority have revealed that the bridge watch system was not operational when the ship grounded at Byneset.

A recent Port State control inspection by the Norwegian Maritime Authority revealed critical deficiencies on board the 'NCL Salten' in Orkanger on the evening of May 27, shortly after the vessel was successfully towed from Byneset. The Norwegian Maritime Authority had an action inspector present throughout the salvage operation to collaborate with the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the shipping company, class organization, and salvage teams. After docking in Orkanger, a Port State inspector conducted an assessment that determined the ship had incurred hull damage rendering it unseaworthy. To facilitate repairs, the flag state of Cyprus is required to provide a formal written assurance confirming the vessel’s eligibility to proceed to a repair yard. The Norwegian Maritime Authority must approve the conditions under which the ship would sail to complete these repairs. Significant issues were noted, including the Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS), which was non-operational before and during the grounding incident—this must be remedied prior to any sailing. Additionally, the ship's International Safety Management (ISM) system does not meet regulatory standards and must be rectified within a three-month timeframe. Concerns were also raised regarding the ship's escape routes, as they failed to meet compliance requirements. Specifically, the access hatch to the emergency exit located in the engine room is cumbersome and difficult to open from the inside. This issue must be addressed within 14 days. With the inspections now concluded, the Norwegian Maritime Authority is in ongoing discussions with the shipping company and the flag state regarding the future operational plans for the vessel.