A situation is unfolding off the central coast of Portugal, where a cargo ship has reportedly lost its rudder while departing. Authorities have closed the port and issued warnings regarding the potential hazards, linking the incident to a failed dredging operation at the Figueira da Foz port entrance.
The Dutch-flagged cargo ship, Eikborg, measuring 89 meters (292 feet) and operated by Royal Wagenborg, touched the seabed as it left the port on January 26. After traveling just a few miles offshore, the vessel reported a loss of rudder control while carrying a load of pulp destined for Germany. Paulo Mariano from the port authority noted that the ship is attempting to maintain its course by moving in reverse, a strategy he described as “counterproductive” but necessary given the rough sea conditions.
Compounding the situation, adverse weather is affecting operations, with the ship reported to be about four nautical miles offshore. The captain is currently waiting for a tugboat dispatched from Leixoes, with plans to tow the Eikborg to either Lisbon or Setubal.
Port officials assert that the incident was likely due to the dredging failure rather than weather conditions. They highlighted that €28 million was spent to remove three million cubic meters of sand, and issues with the sandbar have persisted since the work was completed. The port has been closed to large vessels since 2:00 p.m. local time on January 26, and pilots are refusing traffic in and out, leading to diversions to other ports.
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