Story highlights Cargo ship is being towed away from the French coast, Atlantic Maritime Prefecture says

Ship started listing last week; all crew have been rescued

(CNN) A badly listing cargo ship has successfully been towed away from the coast of France in a last-ditch attempt to keep it from running aground, according to regional officials.

A ship is towing the Modern Express at between 2 and 3 knots, making it certain the ship won't be stranded on the French coast, a statement from the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture said. Spanish authorities will welcome the ship at the port in Bilbao.

The cargo ship began listing off the southwest coast last Tuesday and could not be righted because of gusty winds and 20-foot waves, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel de Oliveira told reporters earlier.

Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship The Modern Express, a Panamanian-registered cargo ship, began listing last Tuesday. Hide Caption 1 of 7 Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship The ship's current position is 50 nautical miles (57 miles) from Arcachon, near Bordeaux, on France's Atlantic coast. Hide Caption 2 of 7 Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship All 22 crew members were airlifted to safety by Spanish rescue helicopters. Hide Caption 3 of 7 Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship The cargo does not present an environmental hazard, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel de Oliveira, of the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture, told reporters. Hide Caption 4 of 7 Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship Given prevailing currents, if Monday's rescue fails, the ship is expected to run aground on the Landes coast, in the southwest of France, some time between Monday and Tuesday night. Hide Caption 5 of 7 Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship It is hoped that the righting operation can take place once conditions are calmer. Previous efforts to right it have been unsuccessful. Hide Caption 6 of 7 Photos: Righting attempt planned for listing cargo ship Several ships are standing by in attempt to right the ship. Hide Caption 7 of 7

The ship's position had been 50 nautical miles (57 miles) from Arcachon, near Bordeaux, on France's Atlantic coast. If Monday's rescue had failed, the 538-foot ship had been expected to run aground on the Landes coast in the southwest of France some time between Monday and Tuesday night.

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