On October 25, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the TUI Cruises ship Mein Schiff 3 collided with two container ships while leaving the port of Bremerhaven, Germany.
The collision caused substantial damage to Mein Schiff 3, with significant harm to several lifeboats, their davits, and parts of the hull. One container ship received a large gash several meters above the waterline on its port side and suffered deformation of container guides. The second container ship sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported on any of the three vessels, and none took on water.
The accident occurred during the departure maneuver
amid strong winds. Mein Schiff 3 was assisted by tugboats when a gust pushed the cruise ship toward the two docked container ships, resulting in the collision.
Following the incident, maritime authorities imposed a departure ban on all three ships until further investigation and inspections take place. Mein Schiff 3 returned to the dock at Bremerhaven for a technical evaluation. Initial assessments determined that the damage requires shipyard repairs rather than quick fixes in port. The German Maritime Police are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As a direct consequence, TUI Cruises cancelled Mein Schiff 3’s scheduled
20-day cruise to the Canary Islands that was set to depart the same day. The cruise line apologized for the inconvenience to passengers and is working to keep customers informed and supported during this period. TUI Cruises also stated that safety concerns following the initial inspections motivated the cancellation. The length of time Mein Schiff 3 remains out of service will influence whether subsequent sailings are disrupted.
