TUI Cruise Ship Rams Two Containerships in Bremerhaven Storm
Mein Schiff 3 tore a 10-metre gash in MSC Victorine’s hull after strong winds pushed the 293-metre liner off course.
The Mein Schiff 3, a 99,526-gross-ton cruise ship measuring 293 metres in length, struck the MSC Victorine and the smaller feeder vessel MSC Anne F as it exited the northern German port during strong winds. Tugboats were assisting the departure, but a sudden gust pushed the cruise liner sideways, causing its bridge wing to clip the container stacks of the MSC Victorine before tearing into the port stern corner of the 366-metre containership.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m. on October 26, shortly after the Mein Schiff 3 had cast off from the pier in Bremerhaven. The ship, bound for a 20-day cruise to the Canary Islands, was carrying 2,428 passengers and 922 crew. As it manoeuvred through the harbour, a heavy swell and strong winds reportedly caused the vessel to drift despite the assistance of multiple tugs.
The MSC Anne F, a 964-TEU feeder vessel with a deadweight tonnage of 11,800 dwt, had arrived in Bremerhaven from Tangier on October 24. Police reports indicate the vessel sustained minor damage, though it remains unclear whether it was directly struck. The MSC Victorine, a significantly larger containership with a deadweight of 203,855 dwt, had been docked in Bremerhaven since the same date. The collision tore a 10-metre gash in its hull above the waterline and deformed its container guides, though no water ingress was reported.
The Mein Schiff 3 also sustained damage, with at least four lifeboats or tenders destroyed during the impact. The cruise ship returned to its dock shortly after the collision, where passengers were instructed to remain aboard overnight. TUI Cruises later confirmed that the vessel would require urgent repairs at a shipyard, leading to the immediate cancellation of its scheduled voyage.
German police, along with the water police department and the port authority, have launched an investigation into the incident. A police spokeswoman stated on Monday that administrative offence proceedings had been initiated against the captain of the Mein Schiff 3, with authorities examining whether he breached his duty of care.
How the collision unfolded: Cruise Ship
“Investigations are under way to determine whether he breached his duty of care.”
Police spokeswoman·German police representative
Questions have also been raised about the wind conditions at the time of departure. While strong winds were cited as a contributing factor, it remains unclear whether the port should have been closed to vessel movements. The Mein Schiff 3, registered in Malta and operated by TUI Cruises, was built in 2014 and is one of the company’s flagship vessels. Its collision with the two containerships, both registered in Portugal, has disrupted operations for both cruise and container shipping sectors.
On October 26, TUI Cruises issued a statement confirming that the damage to the Mein Schiff 3 necessitated repairs at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven.
Passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered refunds or the option to rebook on alternative cruises.
Investigation and fallout for passengers and operators
The investigation is expected to review whether these protocols were followed and whether additional safeguards are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For the container shipping sector, the damage to the MSC Victorine could lead to delays in its scheduled operations. The 10-metre gash in its hull, while above the waterline, will require repairs before the vessel can resume its normal service. MSC, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, has not yet provided a timeline for the MSC Victorine’s return to operations, though the lack of water ingress suggests the damage may not be as severe as initially feared.
The MSC Anne F, meanwhile, remains in Bremerhaven as authorities continue their assessment. While the damage to the feeder vessel is described as minor, its role in the incident is still under scrutiny. The vessel’s arrival from Tangier on October 24 and its subsequent docking in Bremerhaven place it at the centre of the collision sequence, though its exact involvement remains unclear.
As the investigation progresses, industry analysts will be watching closely to see whether changes to port protocols or vessel manoeuvring procedures are recommended. For now, the focus remains on repairing the damaged vessels and ensuring that the Mein Schiff 3 can safely return to service by the end of November. Passengers and crew alike will be hoping for a swift resolution, though the financial and operational impact of the incident is likely to reverberate through the maritime sector for some time.
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