Working Conditions Aboard the Maria-Francisca

The 'María Francisca' hes lft the Transversal Wharfin Vigo on Feb 4, bound for Antwerp. The ship dropped anchor in the shelter of the Cíes Islands in pos. 42° 12' N 008° 52' W, before continuing its journey. The ship had suffered a partial shift of its cargo off the Portuguese coast due to rough seas. The situation presented a major logistical challenge. After the ship was berthed at the Transversal Wharf, a security perimeter was established and the vessel was preemptively surrounded with pollution barriers. The work of repositioning and removing damaged containers began on Jan 19 under a strict technical protocol, only possible with natural light and favourable weather conditions- The plan was designed jointly by the shipping agent Kaleido Logistics, the stevedoring company Estibadora Gallega, and the ship's owners.Despite a succession of storms—Harry, Ingrid, Joseph, Kristin, and Leonardo—the operation was completed successfully. Reports with photos and video: https://www.atlantico.net/vigo/maria-francisca-vuelve-navegar-corrimiento_1_20260204-4149030.html https://www.diariodelpuerto.com/maritimo/el-maria-francisca-sale-de-vigo-tras-superar-el-corrimiento-de-carga-JE25569088 https://cadenaser.com/galicia/2026/02/04/culmina-con-exito-en-el-puerto-de-vigo-la-compleja-operativa-del-buque-maria-francisca-radio-vigo/

The 'Maria Francisca' was held in Vigo as the inspections have started into the severe cargo shift midship. The disruption has temporarily removed the vessel from service on the important route linking West Africa with Iberian ports. The 'Maria Francisca' had been carrying containers largely loaded with granite, cocoa and palm oil destined for Vigo and Leixões, cargoes typically associated with higher handling sensitivity and insurance scrutiny. Two midship deck stacks collapsed, with several containers crushed or torn open and others left hanging over the port side. A significant number of containers were lost overboard and were believed to have sunk offshore. While there has been no immediate environmental impact, the loss adds to growing industry concern over container losses at sea during increasingly volatile winter weather patterns. The Port Authority of Vigo said the ship will remain at the transversal pier while damaged and at-risk containers were progressively secured, re-lashed and discharged under a detailed safety plan, with close coordination between stevedores, pilots, maritime authorities and technical experts. Insurers and technical surveyors were now assessing the condition of the vessel’s lashing equipment, deck fittings and residual stability margins. The expected sequence was a full survey of the collapsed stacks, stabilization of any remaining at-risk units, and then shore-crane discharge of damaged containers before any consideration is given to onward sailing. The Spanish Maritime Authority confirmed that clearance to depart will depend on the outcome of these inspections and on approval from class and insurers, a process that would take several days.

Onn Jan 20, the Vigo Port Authority has launched a highly complex technical operation to restore stability to the 'María Francisca', which had suffered a cargo shift while sailing between Vigo and Leixões in a severe storm south of Aveiro, and has been docke at the transverse pier of the port of Vigo.The operation, meticulously planned after several coordination meetings between the Port Authority, the shipping agent Kaleido Logistics, Estibadora Gallega, and the ship's owners, was being carried out exclusively in daylight and under favourable weather conditions. The objective was to reposition and secure the displaced cargo, thereby minimising any risk to people and the marine environment. The ship was carrying palm oil, cocoa, and granite, which necessitated taking extreme precautions from the outset. The action plan established a safety perimeter in the affected area and included specific environmental protection measures, such as the installation of a waterproof tarpaulin between the port side and the dock to prevent debris from falling into the sea, as well as the deployment of anti pollution barriers. In addition, steel pontoons were being used to protect the dock floor during the operation. The work has begun with the containers located at the top, following a technical sequence designed to guarantee stability. The operation involved the ship's own crane, with a capacity of 100 tons, a 52-ton mobile crane, self-propelled platforms for working at height, and a personnel basket. At all times, the stevedores remained outside the radius of any potential cargo fall. The technicians anticipated that the work would continue for several days, depending on the cargo's development and weather conditions. Reports with photo and video: https://www.vigoalminuto.com/2026/01/20/el-puerto-de-vigo-coordina-una-cirugia-de-precision-en-el-carguero-maria-francisca/ https://www.farodevigo.es/videos/gran-vigo/2026/01/20/inician-operativa-recolocar-retirar-estabilizar-125887805.html

On Jan 14, 2026, the 'María Francisca' suffered a shift of the container cargo, consisting mainly of boxed with of granite, cocoa, and palm oil, while navigating off the coast of Aveiro, enroute from from the port of São Tomé to the ports of Vigo and Leixões, in adverse sea conditions, causing a list to port side. A significant number of containers was lost into the sea and sank far off the Galician coast. The lost containers did not contain hazardous goods. The crew took immediate corrective actions in line with contingency procedures, including speed reduction and assessment of the vessel’s stability. The maritime authorities in Portugal were alerted and the situation was monitored closely to ensure there was no imminent danger to the vessel, crew, or the marine environment. The ship reached the port of Vigo at 9.30 p.m.,, escorted by the tugs 'Helechosa' (IMO: 9976264) and 'Talavera' (IMO: 9984663) of the Vigo Port Pilotage Service, along with the Pesca I helicopter and the 'Valentín Paz Andrade' (MMSI: 224021540) of the Galician Regional Government's Coast Guard Service (Consellería do Mar). This ensured complete control and safety of the operation. The Port Authority successfully coordinated the berthing of the vessel at the Transversal Wharf. In addition to establishing a security perimeter around the wharf itself, the ship was preventively surrounded by anti-pollution barriers. Personnel from Segem (the Galician Maritime Service), mooring crews, the Maritime Authority, Maritime Rescue, and the Vigo Port Authority (APV) also participated. Several container stacks had toppled over, with boxes being crushed, torn open and hanging over the port side of the vessel. Work was started for the repositioning and removing the damaged containers, which required meticulous planning. Furthermore, various technical inspections were carried out by the Maritime Authority, experts, and insurance companies. .Unloading of the affected containers was expected to begin in the coming days, once the necessary assessments have been completed and the stability of the damaged cargo was ensured for handling at the Vigo docks. This was not the first time the Port of Vigo has acted as a port of refuge in this type of incident. On March 21, 2025, the container m/v 'MSC Houston V' (IMO: 9463281), en route from Piraeus to Liverpool, had to dock in Vigo after losing part of its cargo and shifting due to heavy swells off the southern coast of Portugal. On Jan 26, 2025, the 'HC Eva Marie' (IMO: 9369071) also sought refuge in Vigo due to cargo shifting. The ship was carrying containerised ammunition, which required the activation of a special surveillance operation at the port. Report with photo and video: https://www.farodevigo.es/gran-vigo/2026/01/15/puerto-vigo-recoloca-carga-buque-perdio-contenedores-maria-francisca-125732679.html https://www.apvigo.es/en/paginas/noticias/app1/noticias/ver/827/el-puerto-de-vigo-vuelve-a-demostrar-su-capacidad-operativa-y-seguridad-ante-un-nuevo-desafio-logistico https://www.galiciapress.es/texto-diario/amp/5735438/llega-puerto-vigo-otro-portacontenedores-sufrio-corrimiento-carga-aunque-no-hay-riesgo-ambiental https://www.laregion.es/galicia/atraca-puerto-vigo-portacontenedores-corrimiento-carga_1_20260115-4124813.html https://diariodevigo.com/el-portacontenedores-maria-francisca-atraca-en-vigo-tras-sufrir-danos-en-su-carga-por-el-temporal/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7xtlu8buhU https://x.com/GardacostasGal/status/2011814389209255937

The 'Maria Francisca' requested a medevac at the CCS Las Palmas because a crew member who had fallen about 10 meters deep on board. The ship was 140 miles North of Lanzarote. The SAR helicopter Helimer 202 was mobilized by Salvamento Marítimo. The victim was hoisted and transferred to Gando, where he was picked up by an ambulance and taken to hospital. The ship continued its voyage from Lisbon to Sao Tome.