Smuggling Ship Seized with 32 Million Cigarettes... an "Unexpected Transformation" Underwater

Deliberately sunk off Ireland in 2024
Marine habitat formed in just two years

A smuggling ship caught carrying 32 million illegal cigarettes has been transformed into a new home for marine life, drawing attention. After being left at a port for years and becoming a nuisance, the vessel has been reborn as an artificial reef, bringing unexpected benefits by helping restore marine ecosystems and boost tourism.

On October 12, Yonhap News TV reported that the cargo ship MV Shingle, which sank off Killala Bay in northwestern Ireland, had become a habitat for a variety of marine life in just two years. The report cited Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ and the U.S. magazine People, among others, and showed how the site has changed.

In the summer of 2014, the Single was caught by authorities while carrying 32 million illegal cigarettes en route from Slovenia to Drogheda, Ireland. After legal proceedings, Irish customs authorities seized the vessel, but what to do with it afterward became a problem. PEOPLE

The Moldovan-flagged Shingle was originally used to smuggle illegal cigarettes. In the summer of 2014, the vessel was caught by authorities while carrying 32 million illegal cigarettes en route from Slovenia to Drogheda, Ireland. After legal proceedings, Irish customs authorities seized the vessel, but what to do with it afterward became a problem. Rust and asbestos were found throughout the ship, and its deteriorated condition meant that selling or dismantling it would require considerable expense.

The Shingle, which is about 60 meters long, now lies on the seabed at a depth of 30 meters, about 4 kilometers from the coast. Recently released underwater footage shows barnacles, sponges and sea squirts growing on the ship’s surface, with various fish gathering around it. The Shingle had been moored in Dublin Port for about nine years. During that time, it incurred berthing fees of about 7,000 euros per month, while the total cost of maintaining and repairing the vessel and related work exceeded 2 million euros (about 3.3 billion won). Faced with the enormous upkeep costs, authorities took note of a proposal from local organizations and the local government to create an artificial reef.

The plan was to sink the ship and use it as a marine habitat rather than simply scrapping it. Authorities therefore removed pollutants, including asbestos and residual oil. Reports say about 650,000 euros was spent on removing hazardous materials alone. After being prepared to meet environmental standards, the Shingle was deliberately sunk off Killala Bay on September 18, 2024, by opening its valves.

A ship that had languished in port for years and become a nuisance has been reborn as an artificial reef, bringing unexpected benefits for marine ecosystem restoration and tourism. PEOPLE

Now, about two years later, the Shingle is becoming an artificial reef that attracts a variety of marine life. Dr. Jose Maria Farinas-Franco, a marine ecologist at Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, described the change as “quite impressive, considering how long the ship has been underwater.” He explained that barnacles, marine worms and other early colonizers first settle on artificial structures, followed by other marine life, including sea squirts.

As food sources increase and fish gather, a new ecosystem gradually takes shape. These changes are also having a positive impact on the local tourism industry.

According to the local government, the artificial reef project is attracting marine tourists, including scuba divers, and the area receives about 12,000 visitors a year. It has also been viewed positively for generating tourism demand throughout the year, rather than only during the peak summer season. However, experts warned that sinking aging ships should not be used as a standard method of disposing of decommissioned vessels.

Dr. Farinas-Franco stressed that artificial reefs cannot fully replace natural reefs and that deliberately sinking ships should not be a default option for disposing of decommissioned vessels. At the same time, he said that with proper environmental management and long-term monitoring, artificial reefs can help increase marine biodiversity.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.