Port authority of Bilbao and SMIT Salvage agreed on towing MODERN EXPRESS into Bilbao in the morning Feb 3, caravan is to spend the night some 20 nm north of Bilbao, holding against the wind and the sea, which are seemingly calming down. French ships left the scene, three tugs are deployed: CENTAURUS (IMO 9433755); MARIA DE MAEZTU (IMO 9429091) and RIA DE VIGO (IMO 8311417).
Meanwhile, the Gabon Ministry of Economy expressed its’ shock in finding out, that logs were said to be on board of MODERN EXPRESS, not sawn timber. According to papers, 4089 tons of sawn timber were loaded, while logs export is prohibited. Ministry of Economy launched an investigation.
Previous news:
https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2016/11319/modern-express-under-tow-update-feb-2/