Reviews & Ratings for the Thamesborg

On December 10, 2023, the 'Thamesborg' successfully arrived at Içdas Shipyard, located near Çanakkale in the Marmara Sea, for scheduled repair work. This arrival follows the vessel's notable grounding incident in the Northwest Passage, and the ship made the journey under its own power. Remarkably, no temporary repairs were needed at Baie Comeau, where the 'Thamesborg' had previously discharged its cargo on November 24. Before continuing its Atlantic crossing, the ship's condition was thoroughly assessed and deemed safe for the voyage. To ensure a secure passage, the 'Thamesborg' was accompanied by Boskalis’ anchor handling vessel, 'Princess', throughout the crossing.

The vessel 'Thamesborg', which managed to reach Baie Comeau on October 22 under its own power, was escorted by the icebreaker 'Botnica' (IMO: 9165877) and the tug 'Beverly M I' (IMO: 9084047). This journey included a challenging transit through Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, and into the St. Lawrence River, where it finally prepared to discharge its remaining cargo. Originally expected to take three to four weeks via a more direct Arctic route, the entire trip extended over two months. Following the completion of cargo unloading, the 'Thamesborg' will be undergoing repairs, at a yet-to-be-announced shipyard, as confirmed by Wagenborg. The ship was located at coordinates 49° 15' N 068° 07' W, entering the port on October 29 and remained stationary there as of November 4. As part of this effort, the reefer ship 'Silver Copenhagen' (IMO: 9143386) and the 'Nunalik' (IMO: 9466996) helped lighten the grounded 'Thamesborg' by taking on part of the cargo. The 'Silver Copenhagen' arrived at Baie Comeau on October 20, two days ahead of the main convoy, and departed on October 25 after offloading its cargo. Meanwhile, 'Botnica' departed from the site on October 23, navigating through the Kiel Canal, with an estimated arrival in Tallinn set for November 6. An investigation into the grounding of the 'Thamesborg' is being conducted in collaboration with Canadian authorities, including the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). An interim report outlining the causes of the incident is expected within the next 12 months. Preliminary findings suggest that the 'Thamesborg' took a non-standard route through the Franklin Strait, straying east of the established passage and colliding with an unmapped underwater shoal.

After a challenging six-week stint, the 'Thamesborg,' alongside its icebreaker and tug escorts, has officially departed from the Northwest Passage. The convoy is now navigating southward through Baffin Bay towards the Davis Strait. In a strategic move, the convoy opted for the seldom-used Bellot Strait rather than the more traditional Barrow Strait to the west of Baffin Island. The Bellot Strait, measuring only 13.5 nautical miles in length and 1.1 nautical miles in width, features steep walls that rise dramatically up to 2,500 feet on either side. This route was selected to circumvent potential early ice formation further north. The convoy is anticipated to depart Arctic waters within the next few days. The effective salvage operation included lightering 5,000 tons of cargo and clearing flooded ballast tanks, utilizing specialized equipment delivered by the icebreaker 'Botnica.' Before embarking on their week-long journey to leave the Arctic, the vessel and its escorts conducted a thorough inspection in the nearby Wrottesley Inlet. The 'Thamesborg' is on track to reach its original destination of Baie-Comeau by October 24.

After an extensive 33-day ordeal, the 'Thamesborg' has been refloated and is back on its journey following its grounding in the Northwest Passage, near Prince of Wales Island, north of Taloyoak. The vessel was successfully refloated on October 9 at approximately 2 p.m. UTC. It began its movement shortly after, at 6:15 a.m. that same day. The operation involved the Estonian icebreaker 'Botnica', the Canadian tug 'Beverly M I', and the Dutch cargo ship 'Silver Copenhagen' all working together in close proximity to the stranded vessel. Additionally, the Canadian Coastguard icebreaker 'Des Groseilliers' was present on standby. Initially, the 'Thamesborg' was rotated 90° before the 'Silver Copenhagen' returned alongside to assist in the operation after offloading cargo onto the 'Nunalik'. 'Botnica' secured its position at the stern of the grounded ship. The successful operation saw 'Thamesborg' moved three-quarters of a nautical mile, all while ensuring good coordination among the rescue fleet. Remarkably, the vessel was refloated without sustaining further damage, and there were no signs of pollution reported. The crew of 15, along with an ice advisor who provided guidance during the ordeal, remained onboard throughout the incident. With clearance granted to continue its voyage, the 'Thamesborg' is now en route to Baie Comeau on the St. Lawrence, expected to arrive by October 24. As of October 11, the vessel’s convoy was navigating the narrow Ballot Strait. The precise cause of the grounding is still under investigation, with cooperation from Canadian authorities, including the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

On October 3, 2023, the icebreaker 'Botnica' reached the grounding site of the 'Thamesborg' after a long journey that included a stop in Nuuk, Greenland. This marks the fourth vessel dispatched to assist in the vessel's recovery efforts. The coastal tug 'Beverly M I' had already made its way to the site on September 22, accompanied by the cargo vessel 'Silver Copenhagen'. Since the initial response, a portion of 'Thamesborg’s' cargo, which is comprised of carbon blocks, has successfully been transferred to the 'Silver Copenhagen'. Last week, another cargo ship, 'Nunalik', visited the grounding area, presumably to offload the remaining blocks. The arrival of 'Botnica' introduces crucial operational flexibility, especially as sea ice begins to encroach upon the Northwest Passage. Recent ice build-up has been reported in Barrow Strait, located to the north of the incident site. With a formidable bollard pull of 117 tonnes, 'Botnica' significantly outmatches the 'Beverly M I', which remains on standby nearby. The enhanced capabilities of the icebreaker provide responders with additional strategies for moving 'Thamesborg' should they encounter sea ice during upcoming towing operations. Wagenborg Shipping, the vessel’s operator, aims to refloat 'Thamesborg' within the week, depending on favorable weather conditions. However, there is concern that the Barrow Strait may become inaccessible by that time. An alternative route could involve a passage through the Fury and Hecla Strait leading into Fox Basin north of Hudson Bay, although recent ice charts indicate that sea ice is also beginning to form in that area. Fortunately, an open pathway continues to exist in a westerly direction through the Amundsen Gulf towards Alaska and the Beaufort Sea.

Salvage efforts have officially begun for the stranded bulk carrier 'Thamesborg', as the lightering process of its carbon block cargo is now in full swing. The cargo is being moved to the ice-class Norwegian vessel m/v 'Silver Copenhagen', which features a shallow draft of just six meters, enabling it to safely approach and operate alongside the grounded ship. These operations are slated for completion early next week, after which crews will initiate the crucial task of attempting to refloat the 'Thamesborg'. Additionally, the powerful icebreaker 'Botnica' is scheduled to join the salvage fleet on September 30, further assisting in the recovery efforts.

On September 22, 2023, the tug 'Beverly M' (IMO: 9084047) and the ice-class reefer 'Silver Copenhagen' (IMO: 9143386) arrived at the grounding location of the 'Thamesborg', situated at coordinates 71° 21' N 096° 54' W in the Franklin Strait. The tug, which departed from Belledune, New Brunswick on September 9, boasts an impressive 4,000 horsepower and a bollard pull capacity of 71 tonnes. Meanwhile, the 'Silver Copenhagen', having journeyed from Skagen on the same day, was able to maneuver alongside the stranded vessel thanks to its modest draft of just six meters, which facilitated the transfer of cargo. Weather conditions will play a crucial role as initial salvage operations are expected to commence within this week, following a brief delay due to inclement weather. A third vessel, the 'Botnica' (IMO: 9165877), is on its way to the incident site, with an estimated arrival in Nuuk on September 25, to support the final stages of the salvage. The Canadian Coast Guard has given the green light to Wagenborg's plan for the safe refloating of the 'Thamesborg'. Additionally, the icebreaker 'Des Groseilliers' remains on standby in the vicinity. ROV surveys have consistently confirmed that both the fuel tanks and cargo holds of the 'Thamesborg' are intact as operations progress.

Ten days post-grounding of the 'Thamesborg', operator Wagenborg ramped up preparations for a salvage operation, facing a brief setback due to adverse weather conditions. Fortunately, local sea ice conditions are projected to remain favorable for several more weeks, as the annual Arctic Ocean ice minimum is typically reached by mid-September, prior to the return of sea ice in October. A salvage master and naval architect have already arrived at the site, alongside the initial batch of salvage equipment and additional personnel. The remaining gear and team members are en route and should arrive within a week. A comprehensive salvage plan has been submitted to the Canadian Coast Guard, which is currently stationed at the area with the CCGS 'Des Groseilliers'. On September 13, CCGS 'Jean Goodwill' was released after CCGS 'Sir Wilfrid Laurier' returned with additional staff and equipment. The CCGS 'Sir Wilfrid Laurier' was also released on September 15. Marine Environmental and Hazards Response officers from the Canadian Coast Guard, along with representatives from the salvage company hired by the vessel's owner, remain active on-site. Recent inspections of the 'Thamesborg' hull confirmed no fuel leaks, with the fuel tanks and cargo holds intact, despite some ballast tanks taking on water, which has resulted in a starboard list.

On September 10, 2023, the icebreaker 'Botnica' (IMO: 9165877) embarked on a significant 3,000-nautical-mile journey from Tallinn to aid in the refloating of the vessel 'Thamesborg'. Commissioned by Wagenborg in cooperation with the insurance firm, the 'Botnica' is currently free from icebreaking duties in the Gulf of Finland until December, allowing it to focus on this urgent salvage mission. The 'Botnica' boasts impressive capabilities, featuring a pulling force of 117 tons, making it an efficient offshore supply vessel. Its propulsion system is a sophisticated combination of diesel generators and electric motors, with 12 powerful diesel generators generating over 16,000 HP in total. As the vessel made its way through the Kiel Canal en route to Canada, the necessary salvage equipment was meticulously selected in collaboration with the Kiel-based agency Sartori & Berge. On September 13, preparations for the salvage operation were completed in the heavy lift port of Osterrönfeld, ensuring the 'Botnica' was fully equipped for the task ahead. The following day, the vessel proceeded to Brunsbüttel to refuel at the local bunkering station before setting its course towards the North Sea. Stay updated on this developing story and view related images by visiting the link to the report: https://www.kn-online.de/schleswig-holstein/eisbrecher-botnica-am-kanal-fuer-rettungsaktion-in-kanada-ausgeruestet-5LAVRP3QZRGLTKBTVJMNIW33G4.html

On December 13th at 4 p.m., the cargo vessel 'Thamesborg' experienced a notable incident while navigating the Canso Canal in Nova Scotia. As it entered the lock from the northern approach, the ship collided with the canal lock wall at the coordinates 45° 39' 00" N, 61° 25' 00" W. Fortunately, the vessel has since resumed its journey, departing Baie Comeau and heading toward Baltimore as of December 17th.