The dismantling of a decaying abandoned cargoship has begun in the St Lawrence river, Canada.

The 12,500–dwt Kathryn Spirit (built 1967) has been lying in Beauharnois since 2011.

Radio-Canada has now reported that scrapping in situ has started, and the operation could last two years.

In June, the Canadian government opened a tender for its removal.

The ship was towed to the town in 2011 to be scrapped by a Canadian company.