VIDEO: Modern Express Finds Safe Haven in Bilbao

The ill-fated car carrier Modern Express, which has been drifting in rough seas for over a week, safely arrived at the Spanish port of Bilbao in the afternoon of February 3, the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency said.

The 10,454 dwt vessel was moored at the port’s dock where it will now be inspected, and the initial works on partially straightening the vessel will be undertaken.

The Panamanian-flagged car carrier has been adrift in the Bay of Biscay, while several attempts to tow it failed. The crew of SMIT Salvage finally managed to board the stricken car carrier on Monday morning and attach the tow line to avoid vessel grounding.

#breakingnews #modernexpress #vessel from #Santurtzi #Bilbao #Port pic.twitter.com/xtHz2T1w47

— Natxo Rodriguez (@Natxillo) February 3, 2016

Modern Express started listing on January 26 some 148 miles off Cape Ortegal, Galicia, due to inclement weather.

Due to the shift of its 3600 tons of timber and construction machinery cargo, Modern Express reached a list of some 50 degrees.

The 2001-built vessel was travelling from Gabon to Le Havre when it encountered troubles.

The following video shows the efforts of the SMIT Salvage rescue team in the operation to bring the vessel to safety.

World Maritime News Staff