Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Eikborg

On January 27, 2026, at approximately 09:00 p.m. UTC, the tugboat 'Skandi Lifter' embarked on a crucial mission to tow the disabled cargo ship 'Eikborg'. Before proceeding, the tug made an essential stop in Vigo to acquire necessary supplies, including specialized cables for the salvage operation. Unfortunately, delays in material delivery meant the tug didn’t depart until January 28 at 10:00 a.m. Later that day, the team reached the vicinity of 'Eikborg' at around 03:00 a.m. on January 29, with plans to establish a towing connection aimed at bringing the vessel into Spanish waters by January 30. However, conditions worsened significantly on January 28, yet 'Skandi Lifter' managed to maintain control with its engine. The NRP 'Figueira da Foz' stayed on standby to provide assistance. At 8:00 a.m. on January 29, the 'Eikborg' was successfully taken in tow, and the journey towards Vigo commenced at a speed of approximately five knots. Deteriorating weather conditions posed severe challenges, with winds gusting up to 30 knots and wave heights exceeding five meters around the Cíes Islands. The force of the wind and sea caused the towline to break multiple times, necessitating repeated restarts of the towing operation. As the convoy approached the Ría de Vigo, the tug 'Talavera' (IMO: 9984663) took over from behind, accompanied by the tug 'Helechosa' (IMO: 9976264) from the local Remolcanosa fleet to guide 'Eikborg' towards the Beiramar dock. Meanwhile, the SAR vessel 'María de Maeztu' (IMO: 9429091) provided ongoing support and was ready to intervene if the situation demanded. From January 30's late afternoon, the helicopter Pesca 1 monitored the operation from the air, ensuring coordination with ground teams. Finally, despite significant delays, this comprehensive response enabled the convoy to successfully tow 'Eikborg' into the port of Vigo, arriving later than expected at 3:00 p.m. on January 30, and safely alongside at the Beiramar docks. The crew, comprising Dutch, Indonesian, Latvian, Russian, and Filipino nationals, was found to be unharmed but visibly weary, suffering from minor bruises during their ordeal. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. The crew members took the opportunity to rest while awaiting mandatory technical inspections, which were set to assess the condition of the rudder, damaged during grounding near Figueira da Foz, alongside any potential structural issues due to strong wave impacts. Once inspections and necessary repairs were finalized, the 'Eikborg' was slated to continue to its original destination at Vilagarcía de Arousa, weather permitting. The Vilagarcía Port Authority had already affirmed the anticipated arrival of the cargo. However, due to the prevailing storm, caution would be paramount during the transfer process. As of February 5, the 'Eikborg' remained in a stationary position at Vigo.

In a troubling maritime incident on January 26, 2026, the cargo vessel 'Eikborg', carrying a crew of six—including a Dutch captain and seafarers from Indonesia, Latvia, Russia, and the Philippines—found itself in perilous waters off the coast of Figueira da Foz, Portugal. The ship, loaded with 3,300 tons of cellulose pulp from the Altri group and en route to Vilagarcia, lost its rudder after encountering a sand accumulation shortly after departing the port. The vessel is currently disabled and was reported adrift as it experienced water ingress in the rudder room, while maintaining a draft of 5.5 meters. At the time of the incident, 'Eikborg' was navigating backwards approximately 22 nautical miles offshore, attempting to keep afloat amid deteriorating sea conditions. Meteorological reports indicated waves reaching heights of four to five meters on January 26, escalating to potential swells between five to 12 meters until January 29, when they could soar up to 14 meters. While authorities initially warned of extreme risks due to these weather conditions, they later revised the assessment to suggest a relative level of danger. To manage the situation, the rudder room was sealed, rendering the rudder unusable, yet the ship managed to maintain propulsion using its bow thruster, allowing it to move slowly at a speed of one knot. Currently, the vessel is stationed about four nautical miles offshore, southwest of Figueira da Foz's harbor entrance, complying with instructions to gradually distance itself from the shore. The last known AIS position of the 'Eikborg' was recorded at 40° 08' N 009° 08' W. In response, the NRP 'Figueira da Foz' (MMSI: 263134000), a Portuguese Navy patrol vessel, departed from Alfeite naval base at 3 p.m. for the site, aiming to monitor the unfolding situation closely. On January 28, the Norwegian tug 'Skandi Lifter' (IMO: 9425734) arrived to assist, although towing operations may face substantial challenges due to the adverse weather. Plans indicate that 'Eikborg' may be towed to a Spanish port, likely in the Bay of Vigo, contingent upon the anticipated rough seas and Portugal's refusal to permit the ship into its ports. Further complicating matters, officials at Figueira da Foz closed the port on January 26 at 2 p.m., citing the incident could have stemmed from a failed dredging operation at the port entrance rather than from inclement weather. This dredging effort, costing €28 million to relocate three million cubic meters of sand, has reportedly contributed to ongoing issues with the sandbar. As traffic to and from the port remains halted, ships have begun to divert to alternative locations. Paulo Mariano, vice president of the Figueira da Foz port community, expressed concerns over the incident's connection to significant sand relocations conducted by the Environment Agency (APA), although the APA denied that their beach reinforcement measures were responsible for the grounding. This incident marks the second occurrence in January, raising alarms about maritime navigation in the region. Stay updated with photos and video coverage of this incident through the following links: [Portugal Resident](https://www.portugalresident.com/norwegian-tug-scrambles-to-save-stricken-cargo-ship/), [Noticias de Coimbra](https://www.noticiasdecoimbra.pt/cargueiro-a-deriva-na-figueira-da-foz-rebocador-noruegues-vai-salvar-navio-sem-leme/), and [X.com](https://x.com/i/status/2017260073119100947).

On July 11, at approximately 10:15 a.m., an unfortunate incident occurred involving the EIKBORG (IMO 9356490) when the vessel, known as 'Helenic,' was navigating into the North lock of the Kiel Canal in Holtenau. During the ship's preparations to halt, a rope unexpectedly snapped, resulting in an injury to a Filipino crew member. The injured sailor was promptly transported to a local hospital for evaluation, but he was fortunate enough to be discharged the same day. After the incident, the EIKBORG resumed its journey from Amsterdam to Kolding without further delay.