Insurers write off CMA CGM ro-ro box ship Rokia Delmas.

(From Lloyds List)

THE Rokia Delmas, CMA CGM's ro-ro container vessel which ran aground off the island of Re close to the French Atlantic coast port of La Rochelle on October 24, has been declared a total loss by its insurers, writes Andrew Spurrier in Paris.

Confirming the information, CMA CGM said, however, that it had not yet been decided what to do with the vessel, which is still on the site where it ran aground 2.5 km off the island's prized holiday beaches.

'The salvors are in the process of studying the different options available,' a spokeswoman said.

She said that everything was being done to get the vessel refloated at the earliest opportunity but that the time it would take would depend on weather conditions.

The maritime prefecture in Brest, which is overseeing the salvage operation, indicated some time ago that it did not want to break up the vessel where it is.

A spokesman confirmed yesterday that this was still the position, explaining that the prefecture was concerned that any operation undertaken should not have a negative effect in an area which was particularly environmentally sensitive.