Challenges and Recovery: The Journey of Citius from Grounding to Repairs

Citius, a bulk carrier of significant size, has recently made headlines following a series of challenging events leading to its eventual tow to a repair yard in Rotterdam. The saga began on December 17, 2016, when the vessel ran aground in a meander of the Seine while en route upstream between Le Havre and Rouen. The grounding occurred near the buoy at Quillebeuf, prompting immediate rescue efforts which initially faltered. Subsequently, the authorities of the Grand Maritime Port of Rouen dispatched a fleet of six tugs to assist in the salvage operation. By the evening of the same day, the tugs had managed to free the stern of the vessel from the mud, but challenges persisted, leading to a prolonged extraction process that lasted into the night due to low tide interruptions. By midnight, a concerted effort allowed Citius to be navigated back to the Seine Container Terminal in Le Havre, where it berthed successfully on December 18.

In the wake of the grounding, which inflicted rudder damage, Citius faced significant delays in discharging its cargo of 76,000 tons of coal that was initially destined for the Paris region. Over the following weeks, only a fraction of its load was unloaded due to operational constraints, culminating in the vessel being stored at Radicatel until the necessary arrangements for towing could be made. On January 4, 2017, the ship was towed from Radicatel to Le Havre with the assistance of multiple tugs, including the military tug "Abeille Liberté." Maneuvering through the treacherous waters of the Seine halted traffic entirely as the operation unfolded over several hours.

With repairs urgently needed, Citius embarked on yet another journey on January 17, being towed to Rotterdam by the tugs "Multratug 3" and "Multratug 29." The estimated time of arrival at the Damen Shiprepair Yard was set for January 19, where it is expected to undergo extensive repairs to rectify the damage sustained from the grounding. It is noteworthy that in recent days, the remaining cargo of coal has been successfully unloaded, allowing for a focused approach toward resolving the ship's operational hindrances. The evolution of events surrounding Citius not only highlights the complexities of maritime navigation in challenging environments but also underscores the urgency and cooperation required in maritime salvage and repair efforts. As repairs commence in Rotterdam, the industry will be watching closely to see how effectively Citius returns to active duty, following its turbulent journey through the Seine.