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As bad weather hampers salvors, authorities prepare for the Modern Express to hit French shores

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersJanuary 31, 2016
8 Less than a minute

More bad weather on Saturday prevented salvors from attempting to get a tow line on the stricken Modern Express car carrier. Authorities now admit they are preparing for the possibility that the ship will wash up on French shores to the south of La Rochelle.

The Cido-controlled car carrier is less than 200 km from the coast now. Its crew were evacuated on Tuesday from the ship in stormy conditions in Spanish waters. The vessel, listing at more than 50 degrees, has since drifted into French territory.

Efforts by a team from SMIT Salvage to get a tow line have been thwarted repeatedly due to the stormy conditions in the Bay of Biscay.

The ship is carrying a cargo of wood.

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Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersJanuary 31, 2016
8 Less than a minute
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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