Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor | Aug 13, 2012 3:34PM EDT
The owner of the fire-damaged MSC Flaminia said the container ship has been stabilized enough to enter a sheltered coastal area when authorities grant permission.
Reederei NSB reported that efforts to extinguish fires in individual containers were suspended by rough weather Sunday night.
During the last several days, salvors have stabilized the ship by pumping water from the cargo holds into ballast tanks. The ship’s listing has been reduced to 2.5 degrees from the previous 10 degrees, the company said.
The MSC Flaminia and its accompanying group of tugs are holding a waiting position approximately 240 nautical miles off the British coast.
The MSC Flaminia caught fire July 14 en route from Charleston to Antwerp and was abandoned in the mid-Atlantic. Two crewmembers died, and three were injured. The ship has capacity of 6,732 20-foot-equivalent units.
Reederei NSB said it was still in discussions with coastal authorities about its request for permission to enter sheltered waters or an emergency port.
Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JosephBonney.