The Panama-registered — now abandoned — ship Modern Express is headed for the French coast, France's Marine Nationale reported. Authorities have been attempting to right the vessel before it runs aground but have not been successful because of bad weather conditions.

On Monday afternoon the BBC reported that maritime experts had managed to attach a tow line to the ship.

The four experts will now be evacuated from the Modern Express before crews attempt to direct the ship away from the French coast.

A Spanish tug boat is position and ready for the towing attempt. "The priority is to move the boat away from the coast" to stop it running aground, the spokesman told the BBC.

Here is a map of its progress, from the shipping news site gCaptain.com:

gCaptain.com

The vessel started keeling on Tuesday, and the 22 crew members were immediately airlifted by Spanish rescue helicopters. The ship continued to drift through the Bay of Biscay and is nearing the resort town of Arcachon in France. It was predicted to run aground between Monday and Tuesday in the Landes administrative department near Arcachon.

The ship began keeling on Tuesday. Reuters/Marine Nationale

Emmanuel de Oliviera, the head of France's Atlantic coast authority, earlier told reporters that while efforts were on to right the ship, strong winds and rough seas had deterred all attempts. Final salvage efforts are being attempted, he said, adding: "As of today the sea is stronger than us. There is still a favourable window tomorrow [Monday] to try and connect a tugboat."

Maritime officials believe the vessel may have tilted to one side after cargo stored on it moved because of rough weather conditions. Reuters/Marine Nationale

Cido Shipping, the owner of the vessel, contracted the French emergency tug Abeille Bourbon, the French Navy frigate Primauguet with a Lynx helicopter, and the AHTS Argonaute to help restore the vessel to its upright position.

Modern Express was transporting 3,600 tonnes of wood along with construction machinery from Gabon to France. The carrier holds 300 tonnes of diesel, but according to a report by the Maritime Prefect, the fuel is secure and there have been no signs of a leak.

Maritime officials believe the vessel may have tilted to one side after cargo stored on it moved because of rough weather conditions.