A serious maritime incident unfolded off Portugal’s central coast on January 26, 2026, after the Dutch-flagged general cargo ship Eikborg lost its rudder shortly after departing the port of Figueira da Foz and went adrift in worsening sea conditions.
The 89-metre, 3,592 dwt vessel (IMO 9356490), operated by Royal Wagenborg, had just sailed with a cargo of cellulose pulp bound for Germany when it reportedly touched bottom at the port entrance, where a significant accumulation of sand has formed. Shortly after leaving the harbor, the ship suffered a rudder failure and water ingress into the rudder room.
According to port officials, the rudder room was sealed and the rudder could no longer be used. Despite this, the Eikborg retained propulsion and was able to maneuver and rotate using its bow thruster, operating astern (in reverse) in an effort to maintain control and keep the vessel afloat. The crew was reported safe and uninjured.
By Monday afternoon, the ship was holding position about four nautical miles southwest of the port entrance. Sea conditions at the time included heavy swell and strong waves, and officials warned that any towing operation would be extremely difficult in the prevailing weather. With conditions expected to worsen, the vessel was instructed to gradually move farther away from the coast.
The port of Figueira da Foz was closed to navigation from 2:00 p.m. on January 26 due to uncertainty over the condition of the sandbar at the entrance channel. Port officials said it was the second similar incident this month, with some vessels already diverting to other ports.
Authorities linked the incident to unresolved dredging problems at the port entrance rather than to heavy weather. Around €28 million had reportedly been spent to move three million cubic metres of sand, yet persistent problems with sediment buildup remain.
As of the latest updates, the Eikborg and its crew remain at sea, awaiting a suitable weather window for a complex and high-risk towing operation.
