BOA has successfully completed the salvage operation of NCL SALTEN, an 862 TEU (11,135 dwt) container vessel, that ran aground near Trondheim on 22 May 2025.
Dramatic pictures of the incident went viral and the operation was carried out in close cooperation with the owners, their underwriters, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, as well as other stakeholders.
The salvage operation commenced with transferring 77 containers - 1300 tonnes - from NCL SALTEN to BOA-owned flat top barges to reduce the vessel's ground reaction force and facilitate the refloating process.
This step was crucial to ensure the vessel's stability and to minimize the risk of further damage to the vessel during the operation. Following the offloading of cargo, BOA deployed its powerful tugs,
ISU Statistics 2024
The ISU has published its annual statistics for 2024. They are the only published measure of the state of the industry but do not include information from non-ISU members.
including the BOA BALDER and BOA HEIMDAL, to refloat the vessel.
The operation was meticulously planned and executed, with continuous monitoring to ensure safety of the vessel and the environment. On the 27 May the successful re-floating took place.
Once afloat and after a thorough condition assessment, the casualty was towed to the nearby harbour of Orkanger and re-delivered to her owners. BOA reported that it prioritised safety and environmental protection during the operation and no injuries, no spills to the environment or any damage to the vessel were noted due to the salvage operation.
While unloading the remaining cargo, divers conducted thorough inspections
• Gross revenue for ISU members - US$ 406 million (2023, US$ 398 million)
• 191 services provided (2023, 184 services)
• Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF) - 29 cases (2023, 16). LOF revenue US$ 118 million
to assess damage before the vessel was cleared for a single voyage to the nearest repair facilities for permanent repairs of the grounding damages.
BOA’s Anders Penna said: “The successful completion of the salvage operation underscores the expertise of BOA in handling complex maritime challenges. And the extensive experience and specialized equipment provided by BOA were instrumental in the swift and effective resolution of the incident.”
(2023, US$ 29 million)
Wreck removal income - US$ 205 million from 40 services (2023, US$ 193 million from 30 services)
All numbers are gross income from
ISU Statistics 2024
which all the contractors’ costs must be paid. Numbers are for income in the year received not the year when the service was provided and there can be an element of “time lag”.
The headline 2024 numbers show great consistency with the 2023 statistics and continue with the modest recovery from the low point of 2022. Emergency response services generated US$ 181 million split between LOF, US$ 118 million, and other contracts, $63 million.
Wreck removal income was US$ 205 million from 40 operations – very similar to the 2023 number of US$ 193 million. Wreck removal income is important for ISU members and these numbers maintain the division of the industry’s income at the typical levels of approximately 50:50 between emergency response and wreck removal income.
ISU President, John Witte, commented: “These numbers at least show that the industry has stabilised compared with the low point two years ago but they are still well below the higher numbers from a decade ago. Sustaining the salvage industry so that professional contractors are available to respond around the world remains a focus both for ISU but also for the insurance and ship owning communities.”
The 2024 ISU statistics show an increased number of LOF cases - 29 for ISU members - generating income of US$ 118 million. This is a notable increase on the previous year in which there were 16 LOF cases which had been the lowest level of LOF contracts for ISU members since the ISU started collecting statistics some 30 years ago.
SCOPIC revenue at US$ 20 million
in 2024 was up from US$ 9 million previously.
The increased number of LOFs is notable but it is not possible to attribute this to a specific cause given that the statistics are for the year when income is received, not when the services were provided. ISU believes that income based on awards under Article 13 of the Salvage Convention should be the cornerstone of funding the industry so the increase is welcome.
Revenue in 2024 from operations conducted under contracts other than LOF was US$ 63 million. The average revenue from each non-LOF contract was US$ 1.2 million.
The ISU statistics are collected from all ISU members by a professional third party, which aggregates and analyses them.
Gross revenue all sources
Wreck
Atlantic Towage raises sunken vessel
In June, a fishing vessel was successfully recovered from the seabed North of the entrance to Drogheda Port, County Louth, Ireland, by Atlantic Towage & Marine which mobilised its salvage team, a dive team and the heavy lift crane barge Lara 1.
The recovery followed a dive survey, which confirmed the vessel was suitable for lifting. On arrival at the wreck site, Lara 1 deployed its mooring system to establish a stable lifting platform, while divers secured heavy duty lifting slings around the hull. The vessel was then carefully lifted, dewatered and refloated. The vessel was towed to a nearby port by Atlantic Towage and Marine where it was berthed safely.
Atlantic’s Ian Harrington said: “The recovery marks another safe and efficient salvage by the Atlantic Towage team,
demonstrating close coordination between salvage crew, divers and crane operations under challenging conditions.”
Aras Salvage in Swedish refloat
The general cargo vessel ALI AYKIN ran aground near Malmö, Sweden in May, laden with 4,600 tonnes of steel scrap, presenting a difficult and dangerous operational challenge. Her double bottom ballast tanks had been compromised and the seabed was rocky and the weather unfavourable.
Aras Salvage was activated and within 24 hours, a team of salvage masters, naval architects, and engineers was on site conducting inspections and generating technical models to inform plans for refloating the vessel and protecting the marine environment, maintaining navigational safety all under intense scrutiny from Swedish maritime authorities and within some of Europe’s strictest environmental standards.
The ship was firmly grounded with approximately 370 tonnes of ground reaction. One ballast tank had been breached and a second was found to be compromised. Simple de-ballasting or brute-force pulling with tugs posed significant risks of further hull damage.
The solution which met the required safety margins and environmental parameters was controlled lightering - removing 700 tonnes of scrap cargo, compensating with ballast and then coordinating a staged
refloat supported by precision tug handling and pilotage.
Aras deployed a specialized lightering spread consisting of floating crane barges, high-powered tugs, and customengineered fendering systems. Aras noted “every piece of gear — from pressurisation systems to orange peel grapples — was selected for safety and efficiency.”
The scrap cargo was hazardous due to its potential for spontaneous combustion, and was handled with extreme care. Tarpaulin coverage, weather protocols and real-time weight tracking were used to eliminate risk. Ballast was strategically introduced to maintain ground reaction and prevent instability.
During the process one tug remained connected to the vessel at all times, ensuring control in case of drift or sudden movement.
After days of cargo removal, tank dewatering and environmental risk mitigation, the ALI AYKIN was refloated under the guidance of two highly manoeuverable tugs and gently eased from the rocky seabed cleanly and without damage.
She was then towed safely to port,
inspected, and prepared for backloading of her cargo which Aras described as “a full-circle recovery, executed with precision and zero pollution.”
Aras Salvage’s Naci Hoscan said: “The ALI AYKIN operation was not merely a technical challenge, it was a test of values. Aras Salvage responded not with haste, but with purpose. Not with recklessness, but with readiness. The result was not just a successful salvage, but a reaffirmation of what we believe: that marine emergencies must be met with responsibility, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the environment and safety.”
Members' news
Aras Salvage
Aras Salvage has published a document demonstrating its commitment to the environment, particularly in the sea of Marmara: “Beyond Salvage: ARAS Leads the Fight to Protect the Sea of Marmara.”
It highlights the issue of “ghost nets” which it calls silent killers. Abandoned fishing gear entangles fish, suffocating marine life, damaging coral and obstructing navigation and Aras calls them “invisible weapons of ecological destruction.” It is an acute problem in the Sea of Marmara, where biodiversity is fragile and fisheries are vital to local communities.
Working with marine conservation organizations Aras launched a dedicated initiative to locate, retrieve and responsibly dispose of ghost fishing gear. Using sonar scanning, dive teams and small salvage units equipped for shallow and offshore operations, Aras has recovered hundreds of metres of netting. The work is ongoing.
In 2021 mucilage blanketed vast stretches of the Sea of Marmara. It is a sticky, suffocating byproduct of pollution and warming seas that devastated marine life and coastal economies. Aras’ engineers designed a tailor-engineered underwater collection device that could intercept mucilage before it reaches the surface creating a first-of-its-kind subsea sweeping system - lightweight, modular and deployable from small vessels. This system gently harvests mucilage clusters in the water column and pumps them into containment tanks for environmentally compliant disposal.
Aras said: “This solution didn’t come
from a textbook. It came from a belief: that salvage companies must not only restore what’s been damaged - but prevent damage before it occurs. As a company known for heavy lifts and high-risk operations, some may ask why Aras Salvage commits resources to “noncommercial” initiatives like these. Our answer is simple: because we can - and because we must.”
Pacific Towing
Papua New Guniea (PNG)-based Pacific Towing has undertaken an organisational restructure that has transferred the management and maintenance of its fleet to newly established entity Steamships Ship Management (SSM) which combines the in-house ship management activities of both PacTow and its sister shipping company, Consort, under a single organisation.
Gerard Kasnari, General Manager of PacTow, notes that the restructure has delivered measurable results in fleet availability. “Repairing and maintaining vessels, including dry docking, presents an ongoing challenge for fleet owners across PNG and Melanesia. Fleet availability is rarely where we want it to be, but this new structure is helping us get much closer to those targets.”
Vessel maintenance in PNG is a key operational challenge, driven by the high cost and limited domestic availability of parts. Sourcing components internationally often involves prolonged lead times—particularly for oversized items that cannot be transported by air. PNG also has limited docking facilities.
Kasnari reports another benefit: “Under the old structure we were spending an unsustainable amount of time trying to rectify sub-optimal fleet availability. However, with SSM now responsible for fleet maintenance, as well as vessel bookings, HSSE, crewing, procurement, and vessel IT support, we are able to focus more on business development. This includes pursuing international towage and other project-based work,
some of which is tied to PNG’s expanding oil and gas industry, as well as to other major resource developments and infrastructure programmes such as the upgrading of several of the nation’s ports.” Tsavliris
Tsavliris has been involved in a range of shipping industry events. It included the 1st Conference of the Hellenic Shipowners' Association of Tugs, Salvage, Antipollution and Offshore Support Vessels under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy. Tsavliris supported the event with a gold sponsorship and also sponsored the 10 year Anniversary Reception of "Project Connect - Adopt a Ship". George Tsavliris is the Honorary Chairman of the project. Elsewhere Tsavliris supported the 9th Shipping Conference of Naftemporiki Publications and participated in Marine Insurance Greece 2025 and the Mare Forum Greece.
In April 2025, Tsavliris Group was awarded the honorary distinction "Vaporia Award 2025" during an awards ceremony. Andreas and Alexandros Tsavliris (above with the President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, George Alexandratos, centre) received the award on behalf of the company which was recognised for its contribution to shipping and to the salvage and towage industry.
And the “Blue Horizons: shipping for the next generation” took place in March and some 320 youngsters and students participated in an interactive whole-day programme with the chance to learn about opportunities in seafaring and environmental issues concerning the maritime sector through an interactive panel including George Tsavliris.
Multraship
Multraship Towage & Salvage has opened its new head office and simulator training centre at the Middenhavendam, Terneuzen in the Netherlands. The new headquarters is on a 6,800m2 site with two floors, built to be energy-neutral.
It is located alongside the Scheldt River
and includes offices, a warehouse, the 24/7 dispatch centre and a simulator training centre, with direct access to a private wharf, working area and berths for the fleet (picture right). A grand opening ceremony was held featuring different generations of the Muller family and local dignitaries and was followed by the traditional Multraship annual Captain’s Dinner in Terneuzen. The firm also hosted a meeting of the ISU Salvage Sub Committee in its new board room on the same day (picture below right).
Resolve Marine
Resolve Academy, the Florida-based provider of maritime training, hosted its 19th annual Damage Control Olympics in April. The competition of shipboard firefighting and vessel flooding exercises was designed for officers and crews from US Navy and US Coast Guard visiting Port Everglades during Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale. Crews from the USS New Hampshire, USS New York, USCGC Tampa and USS Cole participated.
heat and water ingress. Teams put their skills to the test in timed, practical, handson training exercises and shipboard emergency response scenarios that included navigating live fire smoke-filled environments, a search and rescue operation and a flooded ship chamber.
Resolve Marine and its training arm, Resolve Academy, created the Damage Control Olympics as a gesture of appreciation to the brave service men and women who defend the United States at sea.
The event is an annual tradition, anticipated by service members who see it as an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, learn from their peers and bond with their fellow crewmates.
The Damage Control Olympics took place at Resolve Academy’s training facility inside Port Everglades, aboard the T/V RESOLVE VISION, a 150-foot LOA mock training vessel.
The state-of-the-art firefighting and damage control simulators feature confined spaces, low visibility, live fire, real
The day provided participants with valuable training in a fast-paced, competitive environment with the opportunity to showcase their emergency response expertise.
In 2025, the USS New York emerged as the 2025 Damage Control Olympics winner and was recognized with medals and a pennant at a closing ceremony.
A short video of the event can be seen at
https://youtu.be/RgRn2SVSQnE Smit
In mid-June, Smit hosted its well-known and popular annual London reception, giving “the perfect opportunity” to catch up with 200 of its clients, business partners and friends, for the “highlight on the social agenda before the market’s summer break”.
Smit said the party was a great success due to the glorious summer weather, the impressive skyline and that “above all the great atmosphere amongst the guests made it once again a night to remember. We look forward to seeing everyone again at one of our next events!”
Below: members of the ISU Salvage Sub Committee in Multraship's new boardroom.
L-R: Maurice Schreurs, Smit; Naci Hoscan, Aras; Alex Tsvaliris, Tsavliris; Marjan Schuringa, Smit; Daniel Dettor; Resolve (on screen); Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Five Oceans; Richard Gunn, ISU Legal Advisor; James Herbert, ISU; Eline Muller, Multraship (Committee Chair).
Donjon - sunken fishing boat lift and air crash response
In Boston in June in a complex and time-sensitive operation, Donjon Marine successfully raised the 86-foot steel fishing vessel EILEEN RITA from the seafloor off Green Island in Boston Harbor.
The vessel, which ran aground and capsized in April, was lifted intact and safely secured aboard a deck barge with minimal environmental impact.
Shortly after grounding at low tide, the EILEEN RITA had rolled onto her port side and began taking on water. The US Coast Guard and Boston Police quickly responded rescuing the three crew members on board. The vessel posed a serious risk to navigation and the marine environment with over 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the incident.
On being awarded the contract, Donjon Marine mobilized a suite of heavy-lift equipment and personnel from its home base in New Jersey. The operation included use of the 1,000-ton crane barge CHESAPEAKE 1000, the 160 ton FARRELL 256, and Donjon-owned tugs including the DOUGLAS J and MEAGAN ANN. Initial dive surveys confirmed a large hull breach which informed the salvage strategy.
“Given the condition of the hull and the shallow depth, our team opted to execute a full lift of the vessel using a basket rigging configuration,” said Bill Kratz, Salvage Master for the operation. “This approach allowed us to recover the EILEEN RITA in one piece and significantly reduce the risk of further fuel leakage.”
Divers installed lift chains beneath the hull, using specialized rigging techniques and pump systems to manage water during recovery. The vessel, estimated to weigh approximately 285 tons with residual water, was successfully hoisted directly onto the deck of the ACK 77 barge.
Potomac River air crash response
Earlier in the year in January following the tragic mid-air collision over Washington’s Potomac River between an American Airlines jet and a US Army helicopter, the US Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) led a coordinated emergency response.
Supported by multiple federal partners, including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Coast Guard, SUPSALV promptly tasked Donjon Maine with executing critical recovery operations.
Donjon rapidly mobilized specialized assets, including dive teams, crane and spud barges and towing vessels to the incident site. The nearest suitable marine equipment was immediately identified and deployed to support the mission. On arrival, Donjon’s salvage team initiated operations and developed detailed recovery plans to safely extract the submerged wreckage from the shallow waters of the Potomac River.
The operation emphasized both technical precision and the utmost respect for the deceased. Donjon worked closely with investigative authorities to recover and transfer aircraft components to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for forensic analysis.
All 67 victims were carefully recovered and positively identified.
Donjon said: “This incident marked a significant inter-agency effort, with the NTSB leading the investigation and multiple organizations contributing to one of the most complex aviation recoveries in recent memory. Donjon’s performance underscored its proven capability in emergency marine salvage and its longstanding partnership with NAVSEA SUPSALV.”
Below: members of the air crash response team
Resolve Marine news update
In April a container ship suffered a collision with a bulk carrier while sailing along the Long Tau River outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
As a result of the collision, both vessels remained stuck and Resolve Marine was appointed by the container ship’s insurers to provide the necessary assistance to free her from the bulk carrier.
There were three weeks of preparations before freeing the vessels which included removing all pollutants onboard the bulk carrier and laying additional mooring buoys to fasten both vessels in place with consideration towards the river’s navigational safety.
Resolve worked is close coordination with the salvors for the bulk carrier - fellow ISU member Smit Salvage - to successfully free the vessels.
Elsewhere a bulk carrier suffered an outbreak of fire in her engine room while on passage towards her next port of discharge in China. As a result of the fire, several engine room crew had to be
evacuated by the Taiwanese Coast Guard for medical attention.
Resolve Marine was appointed to provide the necessary assistance by her insurers. A salvage team including marine firefighters were mobilized from Singapore quickly and were able to board the casualty and extinguish the remaining fire in the engine room.
Resolve then sourced a suitable tug locally and obtained permissions to enter the Port of Kaohsiung for further stabilization and tow strengthening preparations.
The casualty was eventually towed safely to China and brought alongside her repair yard in Zhoushan safely and to the satisfaction of her owners and insurers.
RN-Salvage and Servimagnus in joint River Plate operation
In April, the push convoy of the tugboat PAPU MAR and the container barge 240-4 were caught in a severe storm while crossing the River Plate near KM 77 of the Punta Indio Channel in Argentina, causing the tugboat to sink and leaving the barge in an emergency condition.
A RN-Salvage team came to the aid of the barge, managing to disconnect it from the sunken tugboat and tow it to port, saving the entire cargo, including reefer containers. The tugboat remained sunk near the shipping channel, posing an environmental and operational risk in an area close to navigable channels.
Thereafter, the Argentinian members of the ISU, Raúl A Negro y Cia and Servimagnus joined forces for the wreck removal of the pusher tug cooperating commercially, technically and with personnel and resources.
The sheerleg MAGNUS VI and the Tugboat RECOLETA were used to carry out the removal and refloating of the wreck in a very short time, without environmental damage and in an area
highly exposed to open sea winds and with no nearby shelter.
The refloating and towing operation was completed on 26 May and the vessel was handed over to its owners after inspection by the authorities.
SMIT news roundup
Smit Salvage was involved in an operation to successfully separate two vessels on the Tòng Làu River in Vietnam. It followed a collision between a container vessel and a bulk carrier which resulted in significant hull damage.
Under LOF terms, Smit Salvage assisted the compromised bulk carrier while fellow ISU member Resolve Marine provided services to the containership. Oil booms were deployed, spilled oil removed and further environmental damage prevented.
To stabilise both vessels on the tidal river near Ho Chi Minh City and prevent friction between their hulls, several heavy mooring anchor buoys were installed.
Assisted by six local tugs, the bulk carrier was held in place while the container vessel was pulled backwards. After separation, the cargo from the bulk carrier was partially discharged, enabling the vessel to sail to a berth for further discharge.
In January a container vessel enroute from Jebel Ali to the Suez Canal experienced an explosion and fire involving hazardous cargo in the southern Red Sea.
The crew abandoned the ship and were rescued. Smit Salvage was engaged under a LOF and extensive safety and security assessments were made given the actions of the Houthis against shipping. When the team arrived, the vessel had drifted into Eritrean coastal waters and grounded, creating a risk of environmental pollution to the nearby coral reef.
The salvors mobilised tugs and support craft and faced the challenge of controlling the fire without worsening pollution or compromising the stability and integrity of the casualty.
Spraying water on the burning vessel would carry cargo debris into the sea, and excessive water use would create excessive stresses on the hull of the vessel and potentially compromise her stability.
Firefighting water remaining in a vessel after the salvage response is completed can be categorised as waste and processing it can be costly. However the salvage team successfully refloated the vessel, preventing further damage to both the ship and reef, and moved it to a designated anchorage.
But unfavourable weather and heavy sea conditions made it difficult to execute the next stage of the operation. The team searched for a sheltered area to safely work with a crane barge to take off the containers hanging overboard.
Amid escalating tensions in the southern Red Sea, the convoy of the casualty and salvage vessels proceeded north to Jeddah in Saudi Arab but the vessel was not granted permission to proceed to a place of shelter or refuge in the Red Sea.
An agreement was reached with the client for the vessel to proceed to Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates and discharge the cargo for onward shipping or disposal to complete the operation.
It brought further challenges, as the tow had to pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. To ensure fire control during the "unmanned tow" through the Strait, the salvage team installed water screens aboard the casualty to recirculate existing water in the cargo holds to keep pockets of fire and high temperatures under control and the convoy continued to Jebel Ali where cargo discharge operations are ongoing.
Elsewhere a cement carrier was
immobilised by an explosion and fire in the engine room near the Bahamas. A LOF agreement was made with the owners and Smit Salvage mobilised a team of specialists including fire fighters, along with the FiFi tug MSC OCEAN ONE, to tow the vessel to Freeport, Bahamas. After conducting necessary inspections and confirming that the fire was contained, the vessel was re-delivered to its owners.
In June a 3,055 TEU container vessel reported a fire onboard approximately 24 nautical miles off Port Kochi, India. The fire originated from a container stowed on deck containing lithium-ion batteries and spread to an adjacent container.
Smit promptly deployed a team of firefighters from Singapore to provide immediate assistance and assessment. The fire was successfully extinguished and the vessel proceeded to Mumbai, for container discharge.
Elsewhere a bulk carrier experienced an onboard fire shortly after departing the Port of Nacala, Mozambique. The vessel, fully loaded with coal and en-route to Poland, was successfully stabilised once the fire was extinguished. However its main engine became inoperative and Smit conducted the towage of the vessel to Saldanha, South Africa, using its in-house vessel, the AHT BOKA FORWARD.
In other operations Smit assisted a laden bulk carrier suffering from a main engine malfunction and drifting in the Gulf of Mexico and escorted the vessel - which was able to resume slow steaming speed - to a safe anchorage for permanent repairs.
And in South Africa Smit towed a bulker with engine failure the 260 nautical miles from Cape Town to Saldanha Bay. Standby services were provided while the vessel underwent repairs.
Associate and Affiliate Members' News
ABL
ABL has announced that Master Mariner and SCR Michael Riddell has recently joined the ABL team. Previously a Salvage Master, he adds his extensive knowledge and experience in the global marine environment, including Emergency Response and wreck removal projects.
Michael started his sea career in South Africa with Safmarine, later joining the well-known large salvage tugs WOLRAAD WOLTEMADE and JOHN ROSS.
His salvage career started in earnest with Svitzer Salvage with the opening of its office in Cape Town in 2005, becoming Salvage Master in 2011, and continuing until 2017. Thereafter, Michael joined LOC (now part of ABL) in Singapore, being appointed as SCR in 2019. While in Singapore he participated in a variety of salvage operations for a wide client base including commercial and governmental interests.
Michael will be based in Singapore, consolidating his previous salvage, consultancy, and regional experience to further drive ABL’s salvage-related activities in the region, while also supporting the global team.
Elsewhere, ABL reports it has continued a busy period in the salvage sector participating in several emergency response and wreck removal projects across Asia, Europe, Scandinavia, North and South Americas.
ABL also continues to provide its long standing monthly market briefing to Lloyd’s of London, containing a review of global claims incidents and a technical topic of choice, available online as well as in person.
Brookes Bell
Brookes Bell’s has welcomed four new team members across its global offices. Mike Tynan – Scientist and Fire Investigator – is joining the Singapore team. He holds an MChem and PhD
in Chemistry from Durham University, specialising in the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials. He has a strong background in the water industry, where he investigated the causes of water quality incidents and water treatment process failures.
He then worked at Burgoynes as a Fire and Explosion Investigator and investigated more than 100 fires and explosions, providing expert advice to loss adjusters, lawyers and insurers. His work included a focus on defects in electrical appliances, distribution equipment, hot works and lithium-ion batteries.
Javad Rostami will be in Houston as Managing Master Mariner. He has more than 15 years of maritime industry experience, including eight years at sea serving on a wide range of vessel types as Chief Officer before shore-based roles as a marine and cargo surveyor and in operations. As Managing Master Mariner, Javad will oversee a number of critical marine claim and casualty incident investigations. He will also advise on charterparty disputes, off-spec cargoes and voyage performance.
Paul Ayres will also join in Houston as Forensic Scientist and Fire & Explosion Investigator. He has 15 years experience of fire and explosion incident investigations, serving in the public sector alongside firefighting, paramedic and police sectors as well as working with marine authorities during investigations involving vessel fires and waterfront facilities. His experience includes felonious arson and homicide cases, mass-fatality events, attacks on government facilities and critical infrastructure, and IED-related explosions. He has also served as an expert witness in both state and federal courts, providing technical analysis in civil and criminal matters.
As part of Brookes Bell’s goal of developing local young talent in the maritime industry, Mackenzie James joins the consultancy in “The Lab” in Liverpool as an apprentice. He will become a key part of the testing and analysis service, providing failure investigation services to clients around the world.
Solis
Solis Marine reports that in 2024 it provided expert support services to a record number of casualty management operations and that it has “continued to be busy in 2025 with multiple high-profile and
challenging salvage and wreck removal projects around the world.”
Solis’ salvage and wreck removal projects in Asia have included assisting insurers with the cargo issues on a fire-damaged car carrier in Malaysia, multiple wreck removals in Indonesia and Malaysia and an SCR appointment in Vietnam. In Europe, Solis Marine has assisted insurers with the transhipment of an ammonia nitrate cargo in the UK, the salvage of a tanker in the Mediterranean and the discharge of cargo from a damaged vessel in the UK.
To meet increased demand for its services Solis added Captain Jamie Simpson in the UK. He has recently been appointed as an SCR. Captain Neil Minnitt joined the casualty management team in Singapore led by Ros Blazejczyk and Ken Ellam, both of whom have been SCRs for a number of years, together with Roland Orange, who is based in Shanghai. Other team members include Solis naval architects with specialist salvage and wreck removal expertise based in Singapore and Falmouth.
SOSREP
The UK Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) and his deputy oversaw the salvage response following the allision between the container vessel SOLONG and the product tanker STENA IMMACULATE in the North Sea in March. After a week of firefighting, SOLONG was towed to the port of Aberdeen, Scotland. Meanwhile, STENA IMMACULATE was redelivered in the port of Great Yarmouth, England, on 11 April 2025. The SOSREP is an ISU Associate Member and the SOSREP team, Stephan Hennig and Lisa McAuliffe said they “wish to extend their gratitude to all full and associate ISU members involved in the salvage. Their swift engagement, professional approach and positive interaction helped reduce the impact and brought the incident to a successful conclusion.”
Southern Ropes
Southern Ropes reports that it has “increased global capacity” with the acquisition of its new Big Bertha Braiding Machine.
It is a high-capacity industrial braider designed to produce large-diameter, highstrength braided materials. Known for its massive size, precision, and versatility, Big Bertha is used in applications
where standard braiding machines are inadequate - particularly in aerospace, defence, offshore and heavy industrial sectors. The nickname “Big Bertha” comes from a huge wartime artillery piece and its sheer scale and capability means it handles large, complex tasks beyond the capacity of typical equipment.
It can braid a wide range of materials, including high-tenacity polyester and nylon as well as UHMWPE (Dyneema®, Spectra®). Southern Ropes says its new machine “enables us to manufacture longlength ropes up to an incredible 160mm in diameter - opening new possibilities for heavy-duty marine, industrial, and offshore applications.”
Well-known salvage master Captain Nick Sloane, managing director of Sloane Marine, has experience of using Southern Ropes products and is a brand ambassador.
ETA
The European Tugowners Association met for its 62nd Annual General Meeting, in Sicily near Syracuse. The event was hosted by ETA's local member, Medtug. A total of 140 delegates attended to explore current challenges and future developments in the port towage industry, while also "strengthening the bonds that unite the Association."
The Executive Committee discussed current affairs affecting the towage sector, such as the potential inclusion of tugboats in the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation, the upcoming European Port Strategy and the European Industrial Maritime Strategy.
The AGM was the last one with Alberto Dellepiane as Chairman and he said: “We are all competitors, but here in ETA we work closely together to strengthen the industry across Europe.” He also extended his best wishes to Mattias Hellström, who succeeds him.
He said: “Big Bertha is a remarkable addition to Southern Ropes’ production capabilities. This state-of-the-art braider not only enhances efficiency but also expands the possibilities for creating even more durable and specialized ropes. It's exciting to see a company invest in cutting-edge equipment to stay ahead of the curve and continue delivering toptier products to industries that demand nothing but the best.”
IUMI
IUMI has issued its spring (northern hemisphere) statistics commentary. In cargo insurance, IUMI reports that the market remains “under significant strain in 2025”. Some regions have seen improvements thanks to more disciplined underwriting but premiums are under pressure to cover losses.
IUMI said that “accumulation risks in mega ports, ultra-large container vessels and complex supply chains are increasingly hard to model” and that technical pricing gaps persist, with many risks still assessed on outdated loss history instead of current exposures. However, it said signs of returning capacity suggest that market dynamics may be shifting.
In hull markets IUMI noted that the global fleet has grown to unprecedented levels but that this expansion “brings challenges”. Driven by new mega-ship
Mr Hellström, said: "I thank the members of ETA for entrusting me with the Chairmanship of the Association. It is truly a great honour. I look forward to working together with Anna Maria Darmanin and the new Vice Chairman, Holger Schwesig, as well as all members of the Executive Committee, to diligently represent the interests of our industry. I would also like to thank Alberto Dellepiane for his great
deliveries, the world fleet reached 2.4 billion DWT in 2024. Yet this growth masks overcapacity in key sectors, especially containers and bulkers.
An influx of new orders shows “technological ambition” but adds uncertainty around operational reliability and claims. Meanwhile, scrapping rates remain historically low and aging vessels continue to operate raising underwriter concerns over rising machinery-related claims.
IUMI said that offshore upstream activity is “gaining momentum, with new deepwater drilling and gas-related infrastructure surging.” It added that investment decisions are becoming more cautious and that OPEC’s planned production increases could stabilise markets but also dampen new project enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the upstream insurance market is softening. Carbon capture, geothermal and onshore renewables are now part of the offshore insurers’ remit and IUMI said the sector needs underwriters with a broader skill set as the boundaries between marine, energy and engineering insurance continue to dissolve.
The statistics commentary is available at https://iumi.com/statistics/spring-statsupdate-2025/
contribution over the past two years."
The Annual Meeting was followed by the ETA Conference, which this year explored the theme ‘AI Horizons: Transforming Maritime Operations’. Speakers and attendees examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping the maritime and towage sectors.
ISU news
ISU Annual Review
ISU has published its 2024 Annual Review. Secretary General James Herbert said: “It is not a statutory requirement for ISU to publish a review but it is important the we should be transparent with our members and stakeholders about our activities, governance and finance.”
The document contains reports from the secretariat, abbreviated accounts as well as the industry’s financial and pollution prevention statistics and can be read and downloaded at https://www.marinesalvage.com/isu-documents/
Global Salvage and Wreck Forum
This year’s traditional salvage and wreck conference is being organised and promoted jointly by the International Salvage Union, the International Group of P&I Clubs, and the International Underwriting Association.
It will be called the Global Salvage and Wreck Forum – an event “for industry, by industry” on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December 2025.
It comes after the previous commercial organisers decided not to produce the conference this year.
The venue will be the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City – the same as for recent previous editions.
The programme will feature leading experts addressing the latest developments in salvage and wreck removal, offering valuable perspectives for:
• Salvors
• Property insurers
• P&I insurers
• Shipowners
• Maritime consultants
• Maritime lawyers
Booking details, fees and logistics will be shared soon directly to ISU members and also via the dedicated Global Salvage and Wreck Forum website (coming soon) and LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin. com/company/global-salvage-and-wreckforum/
Annual General Meeting
Preparations are well advanced for the ISU Annual General Meeting to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, kindly hosted by ISU member, AMSOL.
ISU and industry business will be conducted and current issues discussed and there will be excellent networking opportunities.
A large number of ISU members have already booked their accommodation and registration information for the various events will be circulated in the weeks ahead.
The outline programme is:
Wednesday 01 October (Daytime) Executive Committee Meeting (EXCO members only) and local visits for non-executive members and partners. (Evening) Welcome Reception.
Thursday 02 October (Daytime) ISU AGM and local visits for partners. (Evening) Gala Dinner.
Friday 03 October (Daytime) golf and local visits and farewell lunch.
The venue for the AGM is the recently refurbished Radisson Blu Collection Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town, and ISU full members may book using the following link
ISU AGM hosted by AMSOL
Members who have not yet booked their accommodation are encouraged to do so straight way as there are a very limited number of rooms.
BIMCO Wreckhire
The ISU negotiating team continues to work on the revisions to the BIMCO Wreckhire contract. There are a small number of outstanding matters to resolve with our counterparts from the International Group of P&I Clubs and the committee is due to meet in London in September to continue the discussions under chairmanship of past ISU President, Richard Janssen.
CIRSC
ISU Secretary General, James Herbert, represented the association at the China International Rescue and Salvage conference in Nanning.
He gave a presentaion about issues in the global salvage indiustry (below) and was also able to have useful disscusions with Chinese stakeholders as well as senior leaders from ISU member China Resuce and Salvage.
Nan Halfweeg 1938 - 2025
ISU noted with sadness the passing of Nan Halfweeg – a well known and very significant figure in the salvage industry.
The family said he had an “unyielding passion for the sea” and was their “rock in the surf” and a more complete obituary will be published in a future edition of Salvage World.
Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union
