Dismantling of the "Tk Bremen" at Erdeven has begun.

In a secured zone, where all access is denied, the demolition of the cargo ship started with clearing materials like furniture, oils, paints or solvents. Under the control of Ceder (Research Center on Marine Pollution), several companies were asked to ensure site cleanup and sorting of materials.

The oil sludge was transported to Saint-Malo by tank trucks.

The insurer of the ship has tasked the Dutch company Euro Demolition with the job to break up the ship, the company being one of four major European specialists in ship removal which already worked on the "Rokia Delmas" in 2006 near La Rochelle, and the "MSC Napoli" off the British coast in 2007.

In about four weeks the "TK Bremen" will be gone.

Last week the remaining oil, not more than 200 liters, was drained and asbestos in the engine room removed.

A 270 t-crane with a giant clamps was called from Germany to the grounding site and will be operational on Jan 5, 2012.

It is the largest of its kind in Europe. To protect the dune during the passage of vehicles, a road was constructed with metal plates. For three weeks, forty men will work around the clock to remove the 2200 tons of steel starting with the bow and the forecastle, followed by the superstructure before cutting down the hull itself from bow to stern.