An Argentinian freighter carrying hundreds of cars has run aground in the Wester Scheldt estuary. The vessel Repubblica Argentina had left Antwerp harbour on Friday, heading for Dakar.
It is not clear what caused the cargo ship to get stuck in the Bath Narrows on its passage through Dutch waters. Shipping in the Scheldt has not been affected because the freighter is outside the main lanes.
At high tide on Saturday afternoon the Dutch water authorities will attempt to float the Italian-flagged ship. Water traffic will be halted during the operation.
The Bath Narrows are a notorious tight spot. In 2003 and 2008 two container carriers got stranded, affecting shipping along Antwerp's vital artery.
(rk)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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