Gallery: Saloos Wreck Removed from Angolan Waters

The wreck of a RORO cargo vessel Saloos, which sank at Cabinda anchorage in Angola in May 2014, has been removed from the area by Koole Mammoet Salvage, a wreck removal and salvage company.

As the Panama-flagged vessel grounded, its cargo of 155 containers was scattered in an area of 60 km² while several containers were stranded on the beach.

Koole was hired in 2015 to remove the 4,403 dwt vessel, survey the area, and remove all detected containers and debris.

During the wreck- and cargo-removal operations, two tugboats and four barges, with 24 chainpullers, several cranes (500ton – 200 ton), salvage and survey-equipment, were used.

By using directional drilling, Koole positioned a total of twelve chains underneath the wreck and pulled the wreck from the mud with hydraulic chainpullers.

The 1983-built vessel was then removed in situ with chisel and torch cutting.

The company said it also managed to remove all containers and debris scattered in the area.

Saloos encountered troubles when it started taking on water and listing while it was en route from Congo’s Pointe Noire to Cabinda.

The vessel’s crew attempted to stop the water ingress, however, they failed and Saloos sank some 380 km north of the capital Luanda.

All crew members were safely evacuated before the vessel capsized in water depth of up to seven meters.