The Seahorse tanker (with a capacity of 9,483 tons), which was passing off the coast of Lebanon, encountered a problem on October 25, 2026, while approaching the port of Sidon. This ship, built in 1997 and registered in Panama, was carrying timber from Turkey.
Emergency Situation and Rescue Action
Reports indicate that the problem on the ship arose due to cargo shifting. Initially, the captain stated that the situation was under control and no assistance was needed. However, as the ship approached the port of Sidon, it likely ran aground and faced the risk of capsizing.
When conditions became critically severe, seven crew members, fearing capsizing, jumped into the sea. Authorities rescued these seven after the captain called for help. Currently, nine other crew members, including the captain, remain on the ship.
Stabilization of the Ship and Technical Problems
Officials reported that the ship faced technical issues and the crew could not identify the water ingress in cargo hold number 5. After boarding the ship, it was reported that walking inside was nearly impossible due to the severe angles, and there was between 3.5 to 4 meters of water in the cargo hold. Emergency pumping operations began, reducing the water level to 50 to 60 centimeters.
The ship has now been transferred to the port of Beirut, and a plan is underway to unload cargo for further stabilization of the ship. Officials did not provide details about the exact problem with the ship, but records show that this vessel has had multiple issues in port inspections since 2013 and has faced significant deficiencies in its last six inspections since December 2025.
