Accident of the hybrid ferry Berlin”: chaos on the way to Denmark!

Accident of the hybrid ferry Berlin”: chaos on the way to Denmark!

On June 14, 2025, an accident occurred on board the hybrid ferry “Berlin” operated by the Scandlines shipping company, which caused great uncertainty among passengers. The ferry was originally supposed to dock at the Danish destination port of Gedser, but was unable to do so due to technical problems and initially returned to Rostock. The couple Regina and Manfred Jahr, who were already in their cars when they were informed of the accident, were particularly affected. For her and the other travelers, the uncertainty about the planned trip to Denmark was enormous.

The captain Stefan Wehland explained that the ship's bow hatch cannot be opened. For this reason, the ferry has to turn around to Rostock to be unloaded. To keep travelers happy, free drinks were offered in the on-board restaurant. A passenger from Berlin, whose children were waiting for her in Denmark, faced an uncertain fate as it was unclear whether she would be able to meet her family as planned. While the shipping company is already trying to find an alternative solution, it is suspected that the passengers will have to transfer to another ship, possibly the “Copenhagen”.

Technical difficulties

The technical problems of the “Berlin” mainly affect the front part of the ship and meant that the planned departure at 11 a.m. could not take place. A specialist company was called in to investigate the cause of the malfunction. It remains to be seen how long the ship will be out of service; There is currently no specific time frame. The “Berlin” has been in regular service between Rostock and Gedser since May 23, 2023 and offers space for 460 cars or 96 trucks. Its length is an impressive 169 meters and it replaces the previous ferry “Prins Joachim”.

In the coming days, the accident could also have an impact on the timetable of further departures from Rostock and Gedser. Travelers are therefore urged to inform themselves before setting off. Current information is available on the Scandlines website and travelers can also find out about possible changes in the app. However, according to the Verkehrsrundschau, most departures are on schedule, so there is also good news for other travelers.

Assistance for passengers

Scandlines has announced that it will take care of the affected passengers and take the necessary steps. The “Copenhagen”, the sister ship, is scheduled to enter service in autumn 2023 to support the fleet. The accident of the “Berlin” can also be remembered against the background that the ships were delivered late after the bankruptcy of the P+S shipyard in Stralsund and were hundreds of tons heavier than originally planned.

For further information about the ferry service, the Scandlines website and Verkehrsinfo.de are available to provide travelers with current traffic conditions and weather reports. Passengers who have purchased a ticket for a canceled departure will also receive an email to the address provided during booking.