The removal of containers from Ever Forward has begun with the salvors aiming to lighten the load of the ship before the next refloat attempt.
The plan is to unload approximately 500 containers over the next few days, while salvors are currently moving a box every ten minutes on average.
As of 11:00 am (local time) today (11 April), 54 containers have been removed, according to Container News sources. “More containers will be unloaded today as both crane barges are now unloading the containers simultaneously,” told Container News an official.
The decision for the unloading of Ever Forward came after two unsuccessful tries to refloat the 5,000 TEU loaded ship, as salvage experts determined that they would not be able to overcome the ground force of the vessel in its initial loaded condition.
Containers starting to come off #EverForward. It is averaging about 10 minutes to offload a container. Plan is to move 550 boxes.
One of the anchor barges, for the starboard stern is set with two anchors and four stern lines to Ever Forward. pic.twitter.com/XaCRoe1AI4
— Sal Mercogliano 🚢⚓🧭🐪🚒🏴☠️ (@mercoglianos) April 9, 2022
It is important to note that Evergreen, the owner of the 11,850 TEU Ever Forward, has declared General Average (GA) due to the increasing costs arising from the continued attempts to refloat the vessel.
The 2020-built container vessel ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay in the United States and remains stuck since 13 March.
