Captain Alwin Müller: Farewell tour on the Baltic Sea with Vineta”!

Captain Alwin Müller: Farewell tour on the Baltic Sea with Vineta”!

Next Sunday it will be romantic on the Baltic Sea, because Alwin Müller, the 83-year-old former operations manager of the Adler-Schiffe shipping company, will be steering with the ship“Vineta”his last island tour. Müller has shaped events at Adler-Schiffe for over 30 years and knows the waters like the back of his hand. The tour, which will last more than twelve hours, promises not only breathtaking views, but also exciting information about the history and culture of Usedom.

The tour starts on Wednesday, June 25th, at the Heringsdorf pier and leads to the Misdroy pier in Poland. This pier, which was built by Müller's former boss Sven Paulsen with his own funds, extends about 400 meters into the water. Müller began his maritime career in 1961 as a sailor and has witnessed numerous changes in shipping.

A life for shipping

Müller took on the role of captain of Adler ships as early as 1994. At that time there was only one jetty at the Ahlbeck pier. Many passengers were enthusiastic about the duty-free offers on board until Poland's accession to the EU in the 2000s dried up this source of income. Despite his retirement in 2013, Müller remained committed and continued to lead island tours, which were always a complete success.

With up to 160 employees and a fleet of eight ships, Müller was responsible for coordinating operations. Safety and waves were always of great importance to him. His final tour covers an impressive 170 kilometers and highlights historical topics such as Saint Otto of Bamberg and the region's seafaring traditions.

Shipping through the ages

The maritime industry is of enormous importance not only for Usedom, but for the entire global economy. Over 90 percent of goods traded globally are transported by ship. In 2023, around 268 million tons of goods were transported in Germany, which represents a decrease compared to previous years, asStatistareported. The largest German shipping company is Hapag-Lloyd, which transported around 12 million standard containers in 2023 and whose EBIT was over 17 billion euros in the same year.

The challenges in the industry should not be underestimated. Complex routes and large diversions are part of everyday life for shipping companies, which also have to react to current developments in climate protection. International initiatives aim to make shipping climate-neutral by 2050. However, this switch to sustainable fuels, a fundamental issue for the future of the industry, is being delayed by high costs and low supply.

More than 200 guests are expected on Müller's last trip and there are still tickets available. A new chapter is coming to an end for Alwin Müller, but his legacy in Usedom shipping remains. The islanders and guests will not quickly forget this maritime pioneer.

For further information about Adler-Schiffen's offers, we recommend taking a look at their group offers.