Tugboat Sinks After Collision in Port of Barcelona

A tugboat named Cala Gullo sank in Spain’s Port of Barcelona on Monday, June 30, after it collided with the Malta-registered container vessel MSC Cape Sounio.

The incident took place around 11:00 a.m. local time during a departure operation from the Hutchison Ports Best terminal. The tug was assisting the container ship in executing a turnaround maneuver when the collision occurred, causing the tug to submerge with its three-person crew still aboard.

Emergency teams from the Port Authority responded swiftly, deploying a nearby pilot vessel which successfully rescued all three crew members. Thankfully, no injuries were reported and there is currently no evidence of pollution.

Efforts to recover the submerged tug were in progress later that same afternoon. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the incident occurred.

Despite the collision, the MSC Cape Sounio remained operational and continued its journey as scheduled. It departed Barcelona and is set to arrive at its next destination, La Spezia, Italy, on July 2.