Dry CargoEnvironmentOperations

Solomon Trader refloated

The Solomon Trader, this year’s most high profile ship grounding, was finally reflected over the weekend,weekend, more than three months after the bulker had become lodged on a coral reef near a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Solomon Trader spilled many tons of bunker fuel after grounding in stormy conditions in a remote part of the Solomon Islands.

Locals tell Splash the ship has now been refloated and inspections are ongoing of the smashed hull before any decision is taken to move it.

Once a removal has taken place the government will carry out a full environmental assessment before seeking likely sizeable compensation for environmental damage.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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