Following an agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka, RESOLVE Salvage and Fire (Asia) Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of American-based RESOLVE Marine Group, Inc., has commenced the removal of six vessel wrecks that were sunk in Kankesanthurai Harbor (KKS) between 1994 and 1996 during the LTTE conflict. Situated on the northern coast of Sri Lanka, the harbor was badly damaged in the conflict and has since been closed. The Government of India (GOI) has taken responsibility for rehabilitation of the KKS Harbor and has provided grant funding for the initial stages.
RESOLVE was awarded the contract for the wreck removal work by Shipping Corporation of India, the administrator of the project on behalf of the GOI. The six wrecks range in size from 17m to 99.5m and are either fully or partially submerged, obstructing safe access to and transit within the harbor. The operation will require not only the removal of wrecks but use of 3-D image scanning equipment to identify obstructions within a 500-meter radius of each wreck, thus ensuring removal of wreck debris in preparation for dredging of the harbor and channel. Two wrecks are outside the harbor, while the other four are within it.
RESOLVE has mobilized a team of personnel and equipment to cut up the vessels and move the wreckage ashore, where the scrap will be disposed of, clearing the harbor in preparation for dredging operations and further rehabilitation.