MV Modern Express

The MV Modern Express was a Panama-registered car carrier that developed a list in the Bay of Biscay in January 2016, while carrying earthmoving equipment, trucks and logs.^[1][2] It was a Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) built in 2001 in South Korea, managed by Cido Shipping.

Modern Express, after arrival in Aliağa, after its dramatic salvage.

January 2016 shipwreck

On 26 January 2016, Modern Express was en route to Le Havre, France carrying 3,600 tons of earthmoving equipment, and logs. Heavy winds caused it to develop a 40° list while sailing on the Bay of Biscay, 150 nautical miles off the coast of Spain. Salvamento Maritimo responded to its "mayday" call. By the afternoon of January 26, all 22 crew were carried to safety by two Spanish helicopters. An immediate rescue operation was needed because the ship, now adrift, was heading towards the French coast, carried by the strong current and wind. There was great concern that it could run aground and cause an environmental disaster.^[3]

When weather improved on 1 February 2016, a second attempt by SMIT Salvage successfully attached a tow line. The ship was towed to Bilbao, Spain where it was brought upright, over three weeks, using its ballast tanks.^[4]

Maritime Executive, the ship's management, reported Modern Express's arrival in the shipbreaking port of Aliağa, Turkey, apparently confirming it would be scrapped rather than repaired.^[5]

References

1. "Modern Express ship 'successfully towed from French coast'". BBC News. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 2020-04-28. Officials feared the vessel, which was about 44km (27 miles) off Arcachon near Bordeaux in south-western France, could run aground.
2. "Rescuers harness cargo ship drifting toward France". CBS News. Paris. The Associated Press. 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2020-04-28. A team of experts' final attempt to salvage a cargo ship that had been adrift off the coast of France for five days proved a tentative success on Monday, just hours before it could have run aground.
3. Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.: Salvage of the Modern Express by SMIT Salvage, on YouTube, last called 2020-10-10
4. "Salvage of the Modern Express". boskalis.com. May 18, 2016. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
5. Maritime Executive (2016-10-11). "Salvaged Ro/Ro Modern Express Reaches Turkey". maritime-executive.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28. Early reports indicated that the Express would be scrapped. Some suggest it could be repaired and returned to service, but its presence Tuesday at an anchorage just off Aliaga's shipbreaking yards does not reflect this possibility.