Figueira da Foz, Coimbra, Portugal, Jan. 26, 2026 (Lusa) - The cargo ship that is adrift, without a rudder, off the coast of Figueira da Foz, central Portugal, is expected to be towed to the ports of Lisbon or Setúbal, an operation made difficult by the worsening sea conditions, said the maritime authority.
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, the commander of the port of Figueira da Foz, Paulo Salvado Pires, indicated that one of those ports in the south of the country will be the destination of the Dutch-flagged general cargo ship Eikborg, in an operation that is expected to take place by Tuesday.
"These are ports with different [entry and exit] guidelines, one to the northwest and the other to the southwest, which may help in the decision," explained the harbour master.
On the other hand, Salvado Pires noted that the ship "is in a situation of relative danger," adding that although the freighter has "the rudder door closed" and cannot use that steering instrument, it maintains propulsion and can move and turn with the aid of a propeller at the bow.
The commander also said that the cargo ship apparently has no other damage apart from the rudder malfunction and that the crew, whose number he was unable to specify, is well and unharmed.
However, given the worsening sea conditions forecast for the coming hours, the ship - which is moving slowly in reverse - has been instructed to gradually move away from the coast.
The Figueira da Foz bar has been closed to all navigation since 2:00 pm today.
At 3:00 pm today, the Eikborg was about four nautical miles from Figueira da Foz (approximately seven kilometres).
Portugal's national meteorological institute (IPMA) has issued two yellow warnings of rough seas for the coast of the region of Coimbra: the first is in effect until 6 p.m. today (with north-westerly waves between four and five metres), followed by another until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, with west/south-westerly waves between four and five metres.
Between 12 p.m. on Tuesday and 7 a.m. on Thursday, the rough seas warning level will change to orange, with waves from the northwest between five and seven metres, which may reach 12 metres in height.
The Eikborg cargo ship is 89 metres long and its rudder was rendered unusable after it allegedly struck the seabed due to sand accumulation at the Figueira da Foz bar early this morning as it was leaving the commercial port with a cargo of Celbi cellulose from the Altri group, according to a port source.
JLS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
