Last stage of MSC Napoli clean-up gets under way

The project team, led by Global Response Maritime of the Netherlands, has positioned 12 lifting chains under the wreck and is making preparations to lift the remaining hull section to the surface for demolition.
The lifting chains were put in place using a revolutionary subsea drilling system. This was the first successful subsea use of the drilling system in an offshore wreck removal.
The drilling system employed comprised a 110 tonnes subsea drilling module powering a remote-operated, transponder-guided drilling rod. The first lifting chain was pulled into place on withdrawing the drilling rod.
Drilling and positioning of the lifting chains was subcontracted to Belgian company DISA, specialists in subsea works, and drilling technologist Gebr van Leeuwen Boringen of Harmelen, in the Netherlands.
Another subcontractor, Hapo International Barges, mobilised the crane barge Missing Link, now the main surface platform for the project team.
With all lifting chains in position, the main operational phase began early in May. Hapo will mobilise two 140 metre flattop barges rigged with heavy mobile cranes.
A series of 24 chain-pullers, will be connected to the lifting chains already in position.
The two lifting barges will be moored parallel to MSC Napoli’s stern and when preparations for the main lift are complete, the barges will be ballasted down, to compensate for the forces acting on the pullers.