Removal of the cruiser, the Murmansk
The “Murmansk” cruiser was wrecked off Sørvær in Finnmark in 1994. The Norwegian Coastal Administration contracted AF to remove the wreck.
Project status
About the project
Briefly explained, the AF method involved preparing for on-site dry demolition and dismantling of the wreck. This was done by establishing breakwaters and a makeshift dry dock around the “Murmansk” wreck, allowing water to be pumped out and the wreck to be dried up. Construction machines were then used to demolish and sort the wreck into various waste fractions that were transported by ship to waste recycling facilities.
13 000
tonnes
211
metres long
NOK 239 million
Contract price
Finnmark, Norway
Spectacular clean-up operation along the seashore
The Russian cruiser broke free while being towed and sank partially off the coast near Sørvær on Sørøya on the Finnmark coast on 24 December 1994. The area surrounding Sørøya is exposed to harsh weather conditions and forces of nature.
AF’s approach to this special task was clear: The goal was to identify all possible risk factors, and then develop a method that would minimise them. The total job seemed large and complicated, but dividing it into smaller, more familiar and manageable operations enabled reduced risk and increased control. The solution was a model where the entire job was divided into four different sub-projects.
Briefly explained, the AF method involved preparing for on-site dry demolition and dismantling of the wreck. This was done by establishing breakwaters and a makeshift dry dock around the “Murmansk” wreck, allowing water to be pumped out and the wreck to be dried up. Construction machines were then used to demolish and sort the wreck into various waste fractions that were transported by ship to waste recycling facilities.
The AF method offers several advantages:
- Eliminated uncertainty in connection with subsea operations and lifting.
- Minimised risk in relation to health, safety and the environment.
- Minimised weather limitations during the demolition process.
- Use of recognized and proven methods and principles in the construction and demolition industry.
AF was the only tenderer to suggest the combination of a breakwater and dry dock. Upon awarding the contract, the Norwegian Coastal Administration clarified that AF had been chosen because we had the best environmental profile with the lowest risk for spreading pollutants.