Classification
- Incident Type: Grounded
- Severity: High
The high-severity classification reflects the reported seabed contact, significant hull damage, flooding, and the large-scale salvage and pollution-prevention response. The source does not establish the cause of the blackout.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | MSC Baltic III |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Approximate LOA (m) | 207 |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2025-02-15 |
| Location | Remote cove near Corner Brook, western Newfoundland, Canada |
| Region | Canada |
| Coordinates | 49.090000, -58.426470 |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Outcome | Salvage remained ongoing on 21 March 2025; the vessel was resting on the seabed with significant hull damage and flooding, and no pollution had been observed at the time of reporting. |
| Direct Damage | |
| Estimated Economic Damage |
Key facts
- On 15 February 2025, MSC Baltic III blacked out and was driven ashore in a remote cove near Corner Brook on Newfoundland's western shore.
- Salvage teams reported that the vessel was resting on the seabed, with significant hull damage and water in the cargo holds and engine room.
- The vessel could not be safely refloated at the time of the 21 March report.
- Tank soundings indicated approximately 1.7 million litres of combined heavy fuel and marine gas oil onboard.
- An MSC-contracted tug and barge went alongside with frac tanks and a containment boom. Several containers carrying polymeric beads were removed, and no pollution had been observed at the time of reporting.
Narrative
On 15 February 2025, the containership MSC Baltic III blacked out and was driven ashore in a remote cove on Newfoundland's western shore near Corner Brook. The remote location and winter conditions, including high winds and ice, complicated the response. Salvage teams reported that the vessel was resting on the seabed, had significant hull damage, and had water in the cargo holds and engine room. It could not be safely refloated at that time.
Tank soundings indicated approximately 1.7 million litres of combined heavy fuel and marine gas oil onboard. As weather improved, an MSC-contracted tug and barge went alongside to load frac tanks and a containment boom for the planned fuel-recovery work. Several containers carrying polymeric beads were removed to reduce the risk of a dangerous-goods release. The available report stated that no pollution had been observed, but the salvage operation remained ongoing. The source does not state whether anyone was killed, injured, or missing, and it does not identify the cause of the blackout or a final salvage outcome.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2025-02-15 | MSC Baltic III blacked out and was driven ashore near Corner Brook, Newfoundland. |
| 2025-03-21, as reported | Salvage teams reported seabed contact, significant hull damage, flooding in the cargo holds and engine room, and no safe refloating option at that time. |
| 2025-03-21, as reported | An MSC-contracted tug and barge went alongside with frac tanks and a containment boom. Several polymeric-bead containers were removed. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout before grounding | Reported | The source reports a blackout preceding the grounding but gives no cause for the blackout. |
Investigation
The available coverage reports Canadian Coast Guard and salvage-response updates but does not identify a formal investigation report or causal finding. The cause of the blackout and the final salvage outcome remain unresolved.