TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 collided with a container ship whilst departing Bremerhaven, Germany, on the evening of Sunday, 25th October 2026.
This incident caused severe damage to multiple lifeboats and forced the vessel to return to port. The collision occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. as the 99,526-gross ton cruise ship attempted to depart for a 20-night Western Europe and Canary Islands itinerary, with high winds cited as a contributing factor.
The German Weather Service had issued wind warnings for the Bremerhaven area beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and extending until 1:00 a.m. on Monday.
Gusts reached speeds of 55 kilometres per hour (35 miles per hour). These challenging weather conditions created a difficult environment for the large cruise ship to navigate safely through the port’s narrow confines, even with tugboat assistance.
Eyewitness video footage captured by an officer aboard Mein Schiff 3 shows the treacherous conditions as the vessel attempted to manoeuvre past docked container ships. The rough conditions are evident in the shakiness of the video and the visible wind effects on debris and water.
Multiple Container Ships Involved in Tense Departure Sequence
The dramatic video evidence reveals a two-stage incident involving separate container vessels. Initially, a tugboat worked to guide Mein Schiff 3 past the docked container ship MSC Anne F.
The aft section of the cruise ship swung dangerously close to impact. Whilst it remains unclear whether any contact occurred between these two vessels, the tension of the near-miss is palpable in the footage.
Credit: @CruiseOfficerAlex
The confirmed collision occurred moments later as Mein Schiff 3 approached a second container ship, MSC Victorine. The unmistakable sound of screeching metal confirmed the impact. The port aft corner of the docked container ship tore through several of the cruise ship’s lifeboats. Debris scattered dramatically on the wind and into the water, providing a stark visual representation of the severity of the damage.
Significant Damage Assessment Underway at Columbus Quay
Following the collision, Mein Schiff 3 immediately returned to Columbus Quay in Bremerhaven. AIS tracking data confirms the vessel remained docked hours after its scheduled departure time. The ship is currently undergoing a comprehensive damage assessment whilst the 2,428 guests and 922 crew members remain onboard.
According to local media outlet Nordsee-Zeitung, one of the container ships suffered a 10-metre (approximately 33 feet) tear in its hull. However, this damage has not yet been confirmed by local authorities, who continue to investigate the full extent of the incident. The Bremen Water Police have taken charge of the official investigation into the collision.
No Injuries Reported Despite Severity of Impact
Remarkably, the police report indicates that no injuries have been reported in connection with the collision. This fortun
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