A CONTAINERSHIP owned by Mediterranean Shipping Co remains grounded off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, 10 days after it first ran into difficulty.

The Liberia-flagged, 2003-built, 2,478 teu MSC Baltic III (IMO: 9241475) experienced a power failure off the Newfoundland coast on February 15 en route to Corner Brook from Montreal. The vessel ran aground near Lark Harbour on Newfoundland’s west coast.

Bad weather has hampered the salvage operation from day one, with inspectors spending limited time on board due to high winds and rough conditions.

But an assessment of the hull has confirmed significant breaches, with holes present, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed.

Speaking to local media outlet the St John’s Telegram, CCG senior response officer Bruce English said there was evidence that seawater is beginning to seep into the vessel.

Oily water had been observed in the engine room, a Lloyd’s List Intelligence casualty report said, but no external pollution has been detected as of yet.

There were concerns that MSC Baltic III was resting on its bow, exposing the stern and rudder to high waves.

But the CCG’s latest update confirms the vessel has settled on the seabed and is stable.

Tank soundings have revealed the containership is still carrying approximately 1.7m tonnes of heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil, as well as 470 containers (more than half of which are empty).

Coastguard vessel Jean Goodwill (IMO: 9199634) remains at the scene and is equipped with spill response equipment. Bad conditions continued to hamper salvage efforts over the weekend, and further inspections and tank soundings are being conducted as the weather allows.

There is still no time frame on when efforts to tow the vessel will begin.