Horror erupted in the German port of Bremerhaven on Sunday evening as the massive TUI Cruises vessel Mein Schiff 3 was driven sideways by howling winds and slammed into a docked container ship, ripping open a 10-metre gash in the freighter’s hull and smashing the cruise liner’s lifeboats into mangled wreckage.
Dramatic passenger video captured the chaotic scene as the 99,500-ton ship, packed with 2,428 guests and 922 crew, tried to depart for a 20-night Canary Islands voyage amid Storm Manja. Despite the efforts of tugboats, powerful gusts of up to 55 km/h shoved the vessel off course toward the moored MSC container ship, identified as MSC Victorine.
The footage shows the cruise ship’s side scraping along the freighter, with the sickening screech of metal, debris flying, and several orange-and-white lifeboats crumpled and torn apart as water churned below. One passenger is heard saying, “I think that’s it for the trip,” while others on deck watched in stunned silence as the vessels made contact.
Mein Schiff 3 Lifeboats Torn Apart in Bremerhaven Container Ship Collision
Police and port authorities confirmed the collision, which occurred around 5:30 pm near the container terminal. Reports indicated the cruise ship may have contacted two freighters, though TUI confirmed contact with one. The container ship sustained a roughly 33-foot tear along its side above the waterline, with no flooding reported on any vessel. On the Mein Schiff 3, multiple lifeboats, their cranes, and sections of the outer hull were heavily damaged.
Miraculously, no injuries were reported among the more than 3,300 people aboard. The ship immediately returned to the Columbus Quay, where passengers remained overnight while experts assessed the damage and an investigation began. The planned voyage was cancelled.
In a calm announcement that circulated online, Captain Jan Schubert thanked guests for their patience, confirmed no one was hurt, and urged them to “cuddle up a bit” and enjoy the restaurants and bars while the ship stayed docked. The cruise director similarly sought to reassure those on board that “nothing bad has happened.”
Passengers described the impact as a heavy “rumble” after the wind proved too strong for the tugs to keep the vessels apart. The incident has left the dream holiday in ruins for thousands, with the ship under a departure ban pending further checks.
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