Cruise Ship Damaged as It Hits Containership Departing Bremerhaven

The German cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 and one of MSC’s large containerships sustained significant damage as the cruise ship was attempting to depart Bremerhaven late Sunday afternoon bound for the Canary Islands on a three-week cruise. Police reports cite strong winds from a storm, and the authorities have detained the ships as part of an ongoing investigation.

The ship reportedly held off the pier in Bremerhaven after its departure at 5:10 p.m. before starting its exit from the harbor. Images show tugs alongside and a heavy swell in the harbor.

GERMANY: CRUISE SHIP CRASHES INTO CONTAINER VESSEL TUI Cruises’ 293-metre Mein Schiff 3 slammed into the docked container ship MSC Victorine in Bremerhaven on Sunday evening. Strong winds pushed the liner sideways despite tugboat assistance, reportedly tearing a 10-metre hole in the container ship’s hull. Several lifeboats were damaged. No injuries reported, but passengers’ 20-day voyage is now in chaos.

Next tugs can be seen frantically working as the cruise ship approaches the larger MSC Victorine (203,855 dwt), which had been on dock since October 24. The bridge wing of the cruise ship appears to have made first contact, clipping the container stacks and then the port stern corner of the 366-meter (1,210-foot) containership. The cruise ship continued forward, with reports saying at least four lifeboats/tenders were destroyed. The cruise ship also sustained hull damage.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →