The general cargo ship Arklow Falcon ran aground while transiting the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal in the Netherlands on the evening of August 20, 2026.
According to local media and the Dutch water management authority Rijkswaterstaat, the vessel lost steering control and veered off course near the Bulk Cargo Port in Terneuzen. Its bow subsequently struck the canal bank.
Arklow Falcon came to rest at an angle to the navigation channel. However, the incident did not block the canal, and other vessels were able to continue their journeys.
Vessel refloated shortly after grounding
Reports differ slightly regarding the exact time of the incident. Some sources place the grounding at approximately 6:45 p.m., while others say it occurred at around 7:15 p.m. local time.
A Rijkswaterstaat patrol vessel and the tug Multratug 16 were dispatched to the scene. It remains unclear whether the tug directly assisted in refloating Arklow Falcon.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., the crew managed to free the vessel from the bank. It was subsequently moved to Goese Quay in Terneuzen for a technical inspection.
No injuries or pollution reported
An initial inspection indicated that the vessel sustained only minor damage. No injuries were reported, and authorities found no evidence of fuel leakage or water pollution.
The exact cause of the steering failure has not been established. Rijkswaterstaat is investigating the circumstances of the incident and the vessel’s technical condition.
Arklow Falcon is an Irish-flagged vessel designed to carry general and dry bulk cargo. Built in 2010, it measures 89.95 metres in length and 14.4 metres in width. The vessel has a deadweight capacity of approximately 4,972 tonnes.
