Cruise ship rams two container ships in Bremerhaven

Bremerhaven cruise ship rams two container ships As of: October 26, 2026 • 11:54 a.m

The cruise ship “Mein Schiff 3” collided with two ships in stormy weather after leaving Bremerhaven. Two tugs were damaged. According to current information, there were no injuries.

The almost fully occupied cruise ship was scheduled to set off for the Canary Islands early on Sunday evening. An eyewitness video verified by the German Press Agency shows how the cruise ship, accompanied by tugboats, sets sail in clear waves.

The day after the accident, the passengers left the ship.

The distance to a container ship lying on the harbor wall becomes smaller and smaller, then the cruise ship rams the container ship, the video jerks. Apparently the tugs previously tried to push the ship away from the quay. "I think that's it for the trip," a woman says in the video. Debris can be seen in the pictures. The “Mein Schiff 3” and lifeboats were damaged.

The police speak of significant property damage. No one was injured on any of the ships. No water got in either. According to police, the cruise ship was hit by a gust and then crashed into a smaller container ship. There was minor property damage. But then the cruise ship continued to drift against the larger freighter. According to the port department, this crash caused a ten-meter-long crack in the container ship.

Among other things, lifeboats were damaged.

The cruise ship was actually supposed to go to the Canary Islands. But as she was leaving, the ship was blown away by the wind and collided with two freighters. How did that happen? butenunbinden

Lifeboats, the associated cranes and the hull of the passenger ship were damaged. It returned to the terminal. A temporary ban on departure was initially imposed on all three ships. It has since been saved for the less damaged ship. The Mein Schiff 3 and the larger container ship are still not allowed to sail. The water police are now investigating the captain of the cruise ship for a possible administrative offense. As a spokeswoman confirmed, it will be checked whether he has breached his duty of care.

A cruise ship collided with two container ships in stormy weather. Even tractors could not prevent the accident. The property damage is extensive. butenunbinden

Tui Cruises confirmed the accident. The “Mein Schiff 3” was back at the quay where the damage caused was assessed. “The damage discovered requires short-term repair work in a shipyard,” the organizer said in a statement.

Three ships were damaged in the collision. A strong gust hit the cruise liner “Mein Schiff 3” as it was leaving. Now the police are investigating the captain. butenunbinden

There were 2,428 guests and 922 crew members on board at the time of the accident. The trip to the Canary Islands has now been canceled. All passengers must disembark the ship. Buses and taxis take you to your car or to the train station. In an interview with buten un binnen, some passengers criticized Tui Cruises' communication after the accident. Accordingly, the trip was only officially canceled on Monday morning. Tui Cruises has not yet commented on communication when asked by buten.

Early on Sunday evening there was initially talk of a collision between the cruise ship “Mein Schiff 3” and a container ship. The police later announced that a total of three ships were affected.

This topic in the program: Bremen Eins, Der Mittag, October 26, 2026, 11:40 a.m