Ships: Norwegian cargo vessel sinks, waters affected
Containership Salvaged in Trondheim Fjord
Trondheim, Norway — The NCL Salten, a 135-meter long containership, was successfully refloated from the Trondheim fjord on May 27, 2025. The operation was broadcast live by the state broadcaster NRK, with Ole Torberg Bjørnevik from the responsible salvage service commenting, "It went better than expected."
The incident occurred early Thursday morning when the freighter came to a halt just a few meters from a house near Byneset. Fortunately, no one was injured. Initial investigations suggest that a navigation officer on duty may have fallen asleep. A Ukrainian Second Officer has been apprehended in relation to the incident.
Over the weekend and on Monday, the salvage service removed more than 1,000 tons of cargo from the ship. The NCL Salten is now expected to enter the nearby Port of Orkanger for damage assessments and further cargo unloading. Divers have inspected the vessel before it was towed to port.
As the Salvage operation comes to a close, Norwegian Container Line (NCL) is conducting its own investigation into the incident. The flag state and DNV are also involved in the investigation, with NCL cooperating with the Norwegian police.
[1] NTB news agency[2] NRK broadcast[3] Norwegian Ship Safety and Security Act[5] Wesmans (salvage service)
- The incident involving the NCL Salten, a containership, has sparked general-news discussions about ship safety, as authorities, including the Norwegian police, DNV, and the flag state, are investigating the causes behind its halt in the Trondheim fjord.
- Financial analysts in the transportation industry are keeping a close eye on the situation, as the NCL Salten is expected to undergo damage assessments, further cargo unloading, and possible repairs at the Port of Orkanger, potentially impacting the company's profit margins.
- Acknowledging the close call with the house near Byneset, accidents such as this serve as a reminder for the need to enforce regulations, such as the Norwegian Ship Safety and Security Act, to ensure the safety of both passengers and cargo, and to prevent future occurrences in the maritime finance and transportation sectors.
