Why Tracy's Furniture Is Stuck on a Grounded Ship

Salvage Strategies

The current salvage strategies for grounded ships involve complex dredging methods, which are crucial yet often underfunded. Sal Mercogliano explains that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining dredging operations, but systemic underinvestment has left the country with insufficient dredging capacity 1. This is evident in the current efforts to free the Ever Forward, where smaller dredges are used compared to the massive vacuum dredges in the Suez Canal 2.

We do not have sufficient dredging capacity in the US. And there's a law that requires, there's the dredging act of 1906. That requires dredges within the United States to be us owned, US built, US crude.

--- Sal Mercogliano

The incident highlights the urgent need for investment in dredging infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels and prevent future shipping disruptions.

   

Legal & Insurance

Legal and insurance issues are pivotal in salvage operations, with the Foreign Dredge Act of 1906 playing a significant role. Sal Mercogliano notes that while foreign dredges could be temporarily brought in, logistical challenges and existing laws make it difficult 3. Insurance also plays a crucial role, as the company Evergreen is currently covering the salvage costs, but the declaration of general average could shift financial responsibility to the cargo owners 4.

If they declare general average, then the question becomes, does the cargo pay? This is why whenever you ship anything, you need to get insurance on it.

--- Sal Mercogliano

These legal frameworks and insurance considerations underscore the complexities involved in maritime salvage operations.