The German cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 and one of MSC’s large containerships sustained damage as the cruise ship was attempting to depart Bremerhaven on Sunday afternoon for the Canary Islands on a three-week cruise.
Authorities have detained the ships as part of an ongoing investigation and cited strong winds as reasons.
The Mein Schiff 3 had 2,428 passengers and 922 crew aboard as it was departing. The cruise ship, registered in Malta and operated by TUI Cruises, is 293 meters (961 feet) in length and was built in 2014.
The ship reportedly held off the pier in Bremerhaven after its departure at 5:10 p.m. before starting its exit from the harbor. Images show tugs alongside and a heavy swell in the harbor.
Mein Schiff 3 was passing alongside the smaller MSC feeder MSC Anne F (11,800 dwt), and a tug can be seen pushing the cruise ship away from the docked containership. It is unclear if the MSC Anne F was hit, although the police statement references “minor damage” to the 964 TEU vessel.
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