SEAHORSE Ship Departs Beirut Port After Successful Rescue and Unloading Operation

The SEAHORSE ship turned the final page of its forced stay at Beirut Port, concluding a comprehensive relief and technical operation that lasted ten days. The incident began with its grounding off Sidon on October 25, 2026, followed by its movement to the vicinity of Beirut Port, the rescue of crew members, its entry into the port, securing its berthing, and unloading its cargo, culminating in its departure on November 5.

The ship had arrived off Beirut Port on October 26, in

a state of severe listing that raised fears of potential sinking, prompting some crew members to jump into the sea. This necessitated urgent intervention by Civil Defense and the Beirut Fire Brigade to rescue them, coinciding with an assessment of the ship's condition by competent authorities, involving the Baltaji Pilot Station, the maritime pilot, and the maritime expert appointed by the Port Presidency, to take necessary measures to handle the situation safely.

Under the directives of Minister of Public Works and Transport Faiz Rasamny, and through coordination between the Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Beirut Port Marwan Al-Nafi and the Director General of Land and Maritime Transport Brigadier General Mazen Basbous, the decision was made to bring the ship into the port on October 26, where it berthed at Pier 11, marking the start of a delicate phase of fieldwork to stabilize it and ensure the safety of its hull, crew, and cargo.

The Port Administration, particularly the Operations Department, the Security and Safety Service, and the PSFO (Port Security Force Office) of Beirut Port, mobilized their technical and operational teams, assisted by maritime experts and specialized units, while providing the equipment and machinery needed to secure the ship and mitigate the risks of its listing. In parallel, all security agencies operating within the port played a pivotal role in accompanying the operation at various stages, ensuring a safe working environment and keeping operations under control despite the technical sensitivity of the ship's situation.

Thanks to continuous work around the clock, coordination between port teams and maritime experts, and ongoing security accompaniment, technical teams succeeded in opening the ship's holds after more than five hours of precise work, utilizing special equipment due to difficulties caused by the vessel's tilt. This allowed for the complete unloading of the timber cargo by November 4, a notable timeframe compared to the usual eight working days required for similar ships.

On November 5, after completing the necessary procedures in coordination with competent authorities in the Directorate General of Land and Maritime Transport, the ship was granted permission to sail.

With the departure of the SEAHORSE ship, an operation concluded that reflected the readiness of Beirut Port and the competence of its crews, serving as a model for coordination and integration among departments and concerned parties, from the Management and Investment of Beirut Port and the Directorate General of Land and Maritime Transport to the Lebanese Army, particularly the Navy, Civil Defense, the Beirut Fire Brigade, and other specialized technical bodies, with effective accompaniment from all security agencies. This cooperation demonstrated the importance of integrating roles and responsibilities in responding to emergencies, protecting lives and vessels, and ensuring maritime safety.