On 7 August, the Danish-flagged Ro-Ro cargo vessel Primula Seaways ran aground near the western outer harbor of Terneuzen in the Netherlands. The incident occurred at approximately 10:25 local time, when the vessel’s bow struck the riverbank while approaching the port.
Following the grounding, the Dutch waterway authority Rijkswaterstaat immediately launched a response operation. A patrol vessel was dispatched to assess the situation, while three tugboats and the port support vessel Patriot were mobilized to assist in refloating the ship.
After around two hours of salvage operations, the tugboats successfully pulled Primula Seaways free. The vessel resumed its voyage under its own power, and shipping traffic in the area was not significantly affected.
Authorities confirmed that no crew members were injured, and no pollution or fuel spill occurred during the incident. According to preliminary information, the grounding may have been caused by a temporary power failure on board, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
Built in 2004, Primula Seaways is a 199.8-meter Ro-Ro vessel with a beam of 29.5 meters, operating on regular routes across Northern Europe. The successful refloating without injuries or environmental damage highlights the rapid and effective response of Dutch maritime authorities and local tug operators.
