Cargo Vessel Loses Steering after Grounding Near Figueira da Foz

A cargo ship emergency unfolded off Portugal’s central coast after a Dutch-flagged vessel reportedly lost its rudder shortly after departing port, prompting authorities to close the Port of Figueira da Foz and dispatch tug assistance amid rough sea conditions.

According to port officials, the general cargo ship Eikborg, a 3,592-dwt vessel operated by Royal Wagenborg, touched bottom while leaving Figueira da Foz on January 26. The ship managed to travel only a few miles offshore before reporting a complete loss of rudder function. Measuring 89 metres (292 feet) in length, the vessel was carrying a cargo of pulp bound for Germany.

Paulo Mariano of the port authority told Portuguese news agency Lusa that the ship was attempting to maintain control by sailing backwards, describing the manoeuvre as “counterproductive” but necessary under the circumstances as the captain struggled to keep the vessel positioned against strong seas and deteriorating weather. By Monday afternoon, the ship was reported to be approximately four nautical miles southwest of the port entrance.

The captain is currently holding position offshore while awaiting a tug dispatched from Leixões, with authorities expecting the Eikborg to be towed to either Lisbon or Setúbal once conditions allow. The incident has raised wider concerns about navigation safety at the port entrance, particularly due to unresolved dredging issues.

Port officials stressed that the grounding was not primarily caused by bad weather, but rather by a failed dredging operation at the entrance channel. Authorities said €28 million was spent to move three million cubic metres of sand, yet persistent problems with a sandbar have emerged since the work was completed.

As a precaution, the Port of Figueira da Foz was closed to all large vessel traffic from 2:00 p.m. local time on January 26, with pilots reportedly refusing inbound and outbound movements due to unsafe conditions. Officials confirmed this was the second similar incident this month, adding that some ships have already diverted to other ports.

The situation highlights growing concerns over port maintenance, dredging reliability, and maritime safety along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, particularly during periods of challenging winter weather.