- The Dutch-flagged cargo vessel has arrived at a Turkish shipyard for repairs following a grounding in the Northwest Passage.
- The vessel completed its Atlantic crossing under its own power without temporary repairs in Canada.
- Structural and systems assessments are underway, with repair scope and timelines yet to be confirmed.
The Dutch-flagged cargo vessel involved in a grounding incident in Canada’s Northwest Passage earlier this fall has arrived at a Turkish shipyard to undergo repairs, report gCaptain.
Safe Atlantic Crossing After Assessment
Following the discharge of cargo in Canada, the vessel was assessed and determined to be in a sufficiently safe condition to complete the Atlantic crossing independently. No temporary repairs were required prior to departure.
Vessel tracking data indicate that the ship was accompanied by an anchor-handling support vessel during its transatlantic voyage, providing additional safety oversight throughout the passage.
Repairs at a Major Turkish Shipyard
Satellite imagery shows the vessel at a large commercial shipyard near Çanakkale, located on the Sea of Marmara south of Istanbul. The facility is one of Turkey’s busiest hubs for ship repair and conversion work.
The yard operates the country’s largest dry dock, measuring approximately 370 meters in length, 70 meters in width, and 10 meters in depth. Naval engineers are expected to carry out inspections and necessary structural and systems repairs. At this stage, the full scope of work and the time required before the vessel can return to service remain undetermined.
Grounding in the Northwest Passage
The vessel ran aground in early September while transiting the Northwest Passage en route from China to eastern Canada. The grounding occurred in the Franklin Strait near Prince of Wales Island, a remote Arctic region known for shallow waters and challenging navigation conditions.
Refloating efforts extended for more than four weeks, as teams worked under tight seasonal constraints before winter conditions rendered the route inaccessible.
Salvage Operation and Safety Outcome
Canadian authorities and international salvage teams coordinated a complex recovery operation. More than 5,000 tons of industrial cargo were transferred to other vessels to reduce draft and enable refloating.
Despite reported damage to ballast tanks and sections of the hull, authorities confirmed that there were no injuries and no pollution resulting from the incident.
Departure from Canada and Arrival in Turkey
After being refloated in early October, the vessel underwent initial inspections in a sheltered Canadian bay before proceeding to Baie-Comeau, where it arrived later that month. It subsequently departed for Turkey in late November, completing the Atlantic crossing without further incident.
Arctic Navigation Risks Remain
The grounding occurred amid increased use of the Northwest Passage as a seasonal shortcut for commercial shipping between Asia and other regions. While the 2025 Arctic transit window was shorter than the previous year, multiple large commercial vessels completed the full route.
The incident underscores persistent risks in Arctic navigation, including incomplete hydrographic charts, shifting sea ice, and limited emergency response infrastructure, even as interest in Arctic shipping corridors continues to grow.
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Source: gCaptain
