AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla broke free from her berth in Le Havre, France, on 8th September 2026. This occurred after strong winds severed the ship’s forward mooring lines, causing the vessel to drift backwards and strike a quay wall.
Credit: Rolf Franke
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, but the 3,286-guest vessel missed her next scheduled port call in Zeebrugge whilst undergoing inspections and awaiting clearance from the classification society.
The incident unfolded around 4:00 p.m. local time. AIDAperla was berthed at the Port of Le Havre during a 7-night cruise that had departed Hamburg on 5th September.
Weather Underground records indicate wind gusts reached approximately 35 miles per hour during Tuesday afternoon, creating hazardous conditions in the harbour. Witness videos shared on social media captured the moments immediately following the mooring line failure.
The footage shows the 125,572-tonne vessel drifting backwards after breaking free, with her stern making contact with the quay infrastructure. The impact appeared to occur relatively slowly as the ship was pushed by the wind, but the sheer size of the vessel meant even slow-speed contact could cause significant damage.
Gangways Torn Away as Vessel Drifts in Harbour
During the incident, both passenger gangways connecting the ship to the dock were torn away from their moorings as AIDAperla drifted. Photographs shared by passengers aboard the vessel show one gangway hanging precariously from the port side, creating a floating hazard in the harbour.
The gangway damage presented immediate logistical challenges for port authorities and the cruise line. Approximately 500 AIDAperla guests were ashore on organised excursions at the time of the incident and found themselves temporarily unable to return to their ship.
The floating debris also posed navigation risks to other vessels in the busy French port, which handles both commercial shipping and cruise traffic year-round.
Port Operations Suspended as Emergency Response Mobilised
HAROPA PORT, the authority managing Le Havre, temporarily closed harbour operations whilst emergency crews worked to secure the wayward vessel and clear obstructions from the water. Multiple tugboats were deployed to assist AIDAperla.
They worked to halt her drift and manoeuvre her back towards her original berth position. The port closure affected other vessels as well.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3, which was also docked in Le Havre at the time, had to be held in position by tugboats to prevent a similar incident. The precautionary measures resulted in a two-hour departure delay for Mein Schiff 3 as port authorities worked to stabilise conditions and ensure safe navigation.
By 9:22 p.m., HAROPA PORT issued a statement confirming that AIDAperla had been successfully secured at her berth once again. Passengers who had been stranded ashore were safely boarding the vessel, and no injuries had been
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