Dozens of shipping containers are pulled from the ocean – recovering missing items including furniture, TVs and two Chevrolet utes

  • Dozens of shipping containers filled with many expensive have been recovered
  • 81 containers fell overboard from the YM Efficiency into NSW waters in 2018
  • Operation began to remove 60 shipping containers which remain on sea floor 
  • The clean-up process is costing Australian taxpayers a hefty $20million 

By Tom Place For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 16:28 BST, 2 May 2020 | Updated: 16:37 BST, 2 May 2020

Divers have recovered dozens of shipping containers filled with expensive cars, TVs and furniture that were knocked into the ocean in rough seas.

The clean up crew used an underwater robot to help lift the undelivered cargo from the seafloor as they scanned 25km along the Hunter Coast near Newcastle, NSW.

A total of 63 containers have been found in the month long operation after 81 containers fell overboard from the YM Efficiency cargo vessel in 2018.

Among the recovered cargo were two Chevrolet Silverado dual-cab utes worth over $300,000 that were shipped from the U.S. 

Among the recovered cargo were two Chevrolet Silverado dual-cab utes worth over $300,000 that were shipped from the U.S

Among the recovered cargo were two Chevrolet Silverado dual-cab utes worth over $300,000 that were shipped from the U.S

Other containers held furniture and TVs that were all destroyed beyond repair after almost two years deep in the sea.

Destroyed boxes of nappies, sanitary products and surgical masks also washed up on the beach. 

The Australian government is pursuing the Taiwanese owners Yang Ming for the $15 million dollar clean up operation, according to 7News.

After the containers went overboard the company’s insurer paid for the coast clean up but claims it was not responsible for the sunken cargo.

The clean up process which is using underwater robots and a specialised retrieval boat from Singapore is costing Australian taxpayers $20million. 

The clean up crew used an underwater robot to help lift the undelivered cargo from the seafloor as they scanned 25 kilometres along the Hunter Coast near Newcastle, NSW

The clean up crew used an underwater robot to help lift the undelivered cargo from the seafloor as they scanned 25 kilometres along the Hunter Coast near Newcastle, NSW

The clean up crew used an underwater robot to help lift the undelivered cargo from the seafloor as they scanned 25 kilometres along the Hunter Coast near Newcastle, NSW

A total of 63 containers have been found in the month long operation after over 80 containers fell overboard from the YM Efficiency in 2018

A total of 63 containers have been found in the month long operation after over 80 containers fell overboard from the YM Efficiency in 2018

A total of 63 containers have been found in the month long operation after over 80 containers fell overboard from the YM Efficiency in 2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it would be taking the issue to court and in February seized the sister ship YM Eternity at Port Botany, according to ABC News.

AMSA chief executive Mick Kinley said this showed international shipping companies they would not be able to pollute Australian waters without consequence.

‘If you pollute our waters and refuse to pay the price of cleaning up that pollution, we will hold you accountable.

‘Our ocean won’t pay the price of Yang Ming’s pollution — Yang Ming will.’ 

There are still 15 more containers yet to be recovered.  

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