Cruise Ship Mein Schiff 3 Collides With Container Vessel in Germany Port Amid Stormy Conditions (Video)
TUI Cruises' luxury liner Mein Schiff 3 collided with the moored container ship MSC Victorine while navigating stormy winds out of Bremerhaven, Germany. The impact damaged several lifeboats and tore a gash in the cargo vessel's hull. Carrying 2,428 passengers and 922 crew, the ship returned to pier with no injuries reported as water police investigate.
A luxury cruise ship collided with a container vessel while departing a German port for a nearly three-week voyage, damaging several lifeboats and reportedly tearing open the cargo ship’s hull, as captured in dramatic footage. The 293-metre Mein Schiff 3, operated by TUI Cruises, struck the container ship MSC Victorine while leaving Bremerhaven, Germany, amid strong winds and stormy conditions.
The cruise liner had departed at around 5.10 pm local time on Sunday for a 20-day voyage to Spain’s Canary Islands. The collision occurred roughly 20 minutes later, as storm system Manja brought gusty winds to Germany’s North Sea coast. No injuries or water ingress were reported aboard the vessels involved. Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship Carrying 24 Crew Members Sinks in Bay of Bengal off Odisha; Rescue Operation Underway.
Cruise Ship Mein Schiff 3 Collides With Container Vessel in Germany Port
Passenger Video Captures Collision in Rough Seas
Video recorded by a passenger showed tugboats battling the rough conditions as the cruise ship manoeuvres out of port. The passenger initially appears concerned that the vessel’s stern could strike a container ship before turning the camera towards the bow, capturing the collision.
The footage shows the cruise liner scraping alongside the container vessel, while passengers on the upper deck film the incident. Several lifeboats on the cruise ship appear damaged following the impact.
Severe Hull Damage Reported on Moored Cargo Vessel
Despite assistance from tugboats, the Mein Schiff 3 appeared to struggle to maintain its course amid the strong winds before striking the MSC Victorine, which was moored in the port.
According to German newspaper Bild, the impact tore open part of the container ship’s hull. Images published after the incident showed significant damage to the cargo vessel, with local reports noting a tear roughly 10 metres long above the waterline, although the full extent of the damage remained unclear.
Return to Pier and Official Investigations
The cruise ship subsequently returned to the pier, where specialists began assessing the damage. TUI Cruises confirmed the collision and said 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members were on board at the time.
“We will provide further information as soon as verified findings are available," a company spokesperson said.
German police later confirmed that three vessels were involved in the incident. No injuries were reported.
Water police are investigating the collision, with the weather conditions at the time of departure likely to be a key focus. Authorities are yet to establish the precise cause of the incident or determine the full extent of the damage to both vessels.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 26, 2026 04:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).