MHA and Mayor raise concerns over plans to truck cargo ship salvage to Stephenville

Bay of Islands MHA Eddie Joyce says when Resolve Marine originally announced details of getting the MSC Baltic III out of the area, most of the salvage was to be sent by barge to Stephenville but now starting July 1st, they’ll be trucking over 500 loads over Route 450 on to Stephenville.

Bay of Islands MHA Eddie Joyce says plans have now changed regarding the removal of a grounded ship in Cedar Cove. He says when Resolve Marine originally announced details of getting the MSC Baltic III out of the area, most of the salvage was to be sent by barge to Stephenville but now starting July 1st, they’ll be trucking over 500 loads over Route 450 on to Stephenville.
The cargo ship lost power in February of 2025 and could take between 1-2 years to remove it. Joyce says he has concerns about these new plans with damage to roads, travelling through school zones, and the need for public advisories as well as regular traffic. Joyce says he’s also hearing the project will take place over a two year period. 

Meanwhile, Lark Harbour Mayor Wade Park says their biggest concern with trucking material out is the impact it will have on a new section being paved once water and sewer is completed this summer. He says there are several other big projects happening now including the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard wharf as well the Safe Harbour project with a wharf beng built in lower Lark Harbour. Park says both projects have already had heavy loads of steel and rock trucked in, while the road from Lark Harbour to Little Port has already been impacted by heavy traffic and fish hauling. 

Park says the fishing season has started and the upcoming tourism season will bring more traffic to Lark Harbour, with buses from cruise ships making regular trips to the area. He says there’s only one road leading in and out of Lark Harbour, and there will be wear and tear on Route 450. Park says they’re unsure of exactly how many trucks will travel the roads but there’s only so much it can take, all while regular road maintenance is underway.

Bayfm News has reached out to the Department of Transportation  and Infrastructure for comment.