Multraship and SVITZER refloat Russian cargo ship off Bourgas

BULGARIA: Leading salvors Multraship Salvage and SVITZER Salvage have refloated the Russian-flag cargo ship "Irtysh 1" after it had ran aground on the rocky coastline off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast near Bourgas.

The 2,913 dwt, 1996-built vessel ran aground near Cape Foros on February 8 after strong winds and waves reportedly broke its anchor and drove it towards the coast. At the time of the incident, the vessel, which operates between Greece and Romania, was sailing in ballast, with 35 tons of bunkers on board.

After several days during which ship’s interests made unsuccessful attemptsto free the vessel on their own account, Multraship and SVITZER were engaged to undertake the operation. Mobilising four tugs from Multraship’s dedicated base in the port of Bourgas and a salvage team from SVITZER, salvors managed to refloat the vessel and tow it into the port of Bourgas, where an inspection of the hull was made.

Multraship set up operations in Bulgaria in 2005 after buying Bourgas Tug Services as part of a targeted business expansion plan and as a demonstration of its faith both in Bulgaria and in the greater Black Sea region. Its market share of harbour towage, its main area of activity at the port, has since grown by more than five-fold. It currently has a staff of more than seventy people, and a fleet of seven vessels stationed in the area.

About:

Multraship is a leading Dutch towage and salvage company. It draws on more than ninety years of experience. Multraship’s core operations include salvage, wreck removal, harbour towage, coastal and deep-sea towage, services to the dredging and offshore industries and support for inland navigation. It operates and manages a fleet of thirty-one tugs, salvage vessels, floating sheerlegs and other craft equipped with modern towage, salvage and fire-fighting equipment and manned by experienced and highly-trained masters and crew.