Cruise ship collides with container vessels at German port, trip cancelled
A cruise ship carrying more than 3,300 passengers and crew collided with two container vessels in the German port of Bremerhaven on Sunday, 25 October, damaging several lifeboats and forcing the cancellation of a planned 20-day voyage.
The Mein Schiff 3, operated by TUI Cruises, was manoeuvring near the container terminal at approximately 5:30 p.m. when strong winds pushed it towards the moored vessels, including the MSC Victorine.
Tugboats were assisting the cruise ship at the time but were unable to prevent the collision, according to German authorities.
The ship was carrying 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members. No injuries were reported on any of the vessels involved.
Video footage circulating on social media shows the cruise ship moving dangerously close to the MSC Victorine, with the two vessels coming into contact near the terminal.
Cruise cancelled as authorities assess damage
The impact damaged several lifeboats aboard Mein Schiff 3, while one of the container ships sustained a tear approximately 10 metres long along its hull.
Despite the damage, the cruise ship remained afloat and returned to a safe berth, where engineers began inspecting its structure and safety equipment.
TUI Cruises subsequently cancelled the ship’s scheduled 20-day journey to the Canary Islands, which had been due to depart from Bremerhaven.
Passengers were informed that the vessel required repairs before it could return to service.
The collision also prompted an investigation into the circumstances of the accident, including the weather conditions and manoeuvres undertaken by the ship’s crew.
German authorities have not reported any injuries or environmental damage resulting from the incident.
