The dismantling of an abandoned, rusting cargo ship along the shores of the St. Lawrence River southwest of Montreal should begin next spring, the federal government announced Thursday.

An initial inspection of an abandoned bulk carrier shows it doesn't pose a risk of capsizing or causing an environmental disaster.

Federal officials are scheduled to visit their Beauharnois counterparts on Monday to discuss the ship, which is currently encased in thin ice and anchored to a makeshift dock upstream from Montreal.