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Water ingress on the Scheldt
The 'Testudo', carrying a cargo of more than 300 tons fertilizer from Antwerp to Panheel, took on water on the Scheldt River near Berlare and Schoonaarde on Feb 8, 2026, at around 10 p.m. The vessel took on water and was forced to moor at an old quay belonging to the Allnex company at the Schoonaarde bridge near Dendermonde. The bow of the freighter sank significantly under water and threatened to flood completely. Meanwhile, emergency services were alerted. The fire departments of Dendermonde, Wichelen, Lebbeke, Lokeren, and Berlare responded with large contingents The police, maritime police, and De Vlaamse Waterweg (Flemish Waterway) also responded to provide assistance via the premises of the Allnex company. A second barge, sthe 'Veridis Quo' (MMSI: 244690135), which had been sailing behind the 'Testudo', moored alongside the ship, allowing it to be stabilized and protected from the river current. The fire fighters managed to remove the water from the technical rooms around midnight, and further inspection revealed no further leaks. On Feb 9 at 1.30 a.m., the situation was so far under control, that the 'Testudo' was permitted by the Binnenvaartcommissieto to sail a limited distance to a berth at the ferry pt. in Schellebelle, coupled alongside the second vessel, because it was at risk of getting stuck in Schoonaarde, as the water level began to drop due to the tides. Once the ship was secured at a berth with sufficient water depth in pos. 51° 01' N 003° 56' E at around 3 a.m, an investigation was launched to determine how the water could have entered the ship. Once that has been clarified, a decision was to be made, in consultation with the inland waterway police, when the ship can continue its journey to its port of destination. Both the 'Testudo' and the 'Veridis Quo' remained stationary in Schellebelle as of Feb 10. Reports with photos: https://www.gva.be/binnenland/hulpdiensten-rukken-uit-voor-zinkend-vrachtschip-op-schelde-brandweer-pompt-water-weg/130330087.html https://www.nieuwsblad.be/regio/oost-vlaanderen/denderregio/wichelen/alerte-reactie-van-schipper-voorkomt-erger-na-lek-in-vrachtschip-we-zullen-enkele-dagen-langer-onderweg-zijn/130539199.html
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