EXPERTS are today (Tuesday) preparing to finally move vehicles and heavy plant machinery stuck on the Hoegh Osaka car transporter.

Most of the 1,400 luxury cars and 105 pieces of plant equipment stored on the huge ship berthed at Southampton Docks are expected to be driven off in the next few days.

It comes as inspectors reveal the 51,000 tonne vessel has sustained minor damage and owners intend to bring it back into service after repairing it.

Last night teams were attempting to move a giant quarrying machine blocking the entrance so they can create a safe pathway for the other vehicles.

Owners Hoegh said the rescue mission is on schedule and a spokesman said: “We are hoping to begin discharging the cargo and can be completed by the end of this week or early next week.”

He said most of the vehicles have been held in place by their lashings apart from some large ones on the main deck.

He added that a smaller number of vehicles than previously thought had been immersed in water leaking into the lower decks.

Staff from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are preparing reports after completing their initial inspections.

The ship was deliberately ran aground on Bramble Bank near Southampton, on January 3 after it began listing shortly after leaving the port.

Salvage crews orchestrated the biggest rescue mission ever held in Solent waters to bring the ship back to port on Thursday.