Nordic Bremen Collides with German Frigate in Kiel Canal

Cyprus-flagged container ship Nordic Bremen collided on Wednesday morning, December 9 with a German frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the Kiel Canal.

Nordic Bremen’s starboard bow area was breached in the crash and two of its containers were damaged. What is more, the frigate sustained damage to its bow during the collision, however there were no injuries reported to either of the crews, German Bundeswehr informed.

However, despite the damages both vessels remained afloat. The container ship Nordic Bremen, owned by German Nordic Hamburg Group, proceeded on its own power to Kiel and based on its latest AIS data was cleared to resume its voyage to Helsinki.

The frigate was on its way from Warnemünde to Wilhelmshaven when the incident occurred and was escorted to Brunsbuettel, Northern Germany by three naval tugs for further damage inspection. Once cleared for sailing, the frigate will continue its transit to its home port of Wilhelmshaven, where a comprehensive assessment of the damage will be carried out.

World Maritime News Staff