MV ASTORIA

The towage: Rotterdam to Ghent

On the morning of 3 July 2025 the MV ASTORIA departed Rotterdam’s Waalhaven, a large harbour area used for cargo handling and vessel lay-up, under tow. The route ran south-west across the open Western Scheldt, through the new lock at Terneuzen and into the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal for the final leg to Galloo’s dismantling facility.

Multraship deployed the MULTRATUG 20, MULTRATUG 13 and MULTRATUG 1 for the operation: a three-tug configuration providing primary tow, steering control and assistance throughout the transit.

Operational challenges

Age and structural condition of the towed asset
At 79 years old, the ASTORIA required careful assessment of hull integrity before any towline loads were applied. A vessel that has been stationary for nearly five years carries specific risks – deteriorated hull coatings, possible flooding in compartments, degraded fendering and unpredictable behaviour under tow. Thorough pre-departure inspection and load planning by our experienced teams were essential before the first line was made fast.

High windage profile on an exposed waterway
With a length exceeding 160 metres and a substantial passenger-ship superstructure, the ASTORIA presented a pronounced windage profile on the exposed Western Scheldt, where any crosswind had a direct and immediate effect on heading and control. Holding stability and course, with a non-self-propelled vessel and no active onboard systems, demanded continuous situational awareness and tight coordination between the three tugs. Precision, positioning and communication were critical throughout to ensure a controlled and safe passage.

Lock passage at Terneuzen
A vessel of the ASTORIA's dimensions leaves minimal clearance within the lock chamber, and any delay or misalignment during entry risked disrupting the wider commercial traffic programme on one of the region’s busiest waterway corridors.

Public attention and maritime heritage
The ASTORIA was not simply a commercial towage job. Her history drew significant public and media attention, and crowds gathered along the Vlissingen waterfront to witness her final passage. Carrying out the operation with the dignity and professionalism her history deserved was as much part of the brief as the technical delivery itself.

Weather sensitivity
Heavy weather on the North Sea had already diverted an earlier tow of the ASTORIA in 2020. The lessons from that diversion informed the 2025 planning, with strict weather criteria, defined go/no-go thresholds and pre-agreed contingency anchorage positions built into the operational plan before departure.

Fleet deployment

The MULTRATUG 20, MULTRATUG 13 and MULTRATUG 1 were deployed for the final voyage of the MV ASTORIA. The close cooperation between the three tugs once again showcased the operational excellence at the heart of every Multraship operation.