The cargo vessel Sola Gratia, which sank near Antwerp in a key shipping lane of the Scheldt River, has been successfully raised following a salvage operation.
The 86-meter vessel went down to a depth of around 15 meters on April 17 after striking a pile structure during a sand transport operation.
The recovery was carried out by the salvage companies Multraship Salvage and Herbosch-Kiere. The operation took place in a challenging area with strong currents, and one of the main risks was the possibility of the vessel breaking apart during lifting.
To mitigate this risk, approximately 1,600 tons of sand were first pumped out of the ship. The hull was then carefully balanced using steel cables attached at three separate points before the lifting operation proceeded.
On Sunday, the vessel was brought to the surface using two floating cranes supported by diving teams. However, significant structural damage was discovered, and the ship remains secured in slings for the time being.
No injuries were reported among the crew. Operations are now focused on safely removing the vessel from the area and continuing the investigation.
