The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) says no company has yet been selected to salvage the MV Barima, rejecting circulating claims that a contractor has already been chosen. MARAD describes such reports as false and misleading and states that the recovery procurement for the vessel remains open.
According to MARAD, the salvage contracting process is still underway and is being handled through an Expression of Interest (EoI) framework. The outlets report that public pressure is building after allegations circulated about a “secret invitation” to a Dutch company, though MARAD does not confirm any firm has been awarded the work.
Both sources present MARAD’s position that the selection process has not concluded and that it is continuing as part of a transparent procurement effort. The key difference in outlet emphasis is that one highlights scrutiny over the alleged invitation to a Dutch firm, while the other focuses more directly on MARAD’s denial that any contractor or individual has been chosen at this stage.
