Shell Plate Metal Dissolution Time of the Sunken M/V Joe-2 Ship and Its Effects on the Marine Ecosystem

Abstract

The assumption that a ship only pollutes the marine environment when it sinks is a misconception. In reality, the environmental impact of a shipwreck can persist for decades. One of the primary factors contributing to this long-term pollution is the corrosive effect of dissolved oxygen in seawater, which gradually thins the steel hull of the sunken vessel. As the structural integrity of the hull weakens, pollutants such as fuel, cargo, or other hazardous substances may eventually leak into the marine environment. This study investigates the potential timeline of hull corrosion for the M/V Joe-2, which sank off the coast of Kumluca, Turkey, while carrying 3,000 tons of bauxite—a mineral that poses ecological risks due to its aluminium oxide and hydroxide content. Although the ship did not release pollutants during the sinking process, its cargo remains a potential threat. Using known corrosion rates for steel in submerged zones (~0.10 mm/year) and accounting for the standard hull plate thickness of 8.10 mm (as per SOLAS regulations), it is estimated that complete dissolution of the ship’s outer hull could take up to 80 years. However, localised weaknesses, particularly at weld joints, may cause structural failures earlier, potentially leading to the release of pollutants before full corrosion is reached. These findings underscore the long-term environmental risks posed by sunken vessels, even when immediate pollution is not observed.