Shipping on the Okertalsperre stopped: A piece of Harz lost!

Shipping on the Okertalsperre stopped: A piece of Harz lost!

Shock for all water lovers and boating enthusiasts in the region! On August 15, 2025, shipping operations on the Okertalsperre in the Goslar district were officially stopped. The reason: Okersee-Schifffahrt GmbH, which has been in preliminary insolvency since the end of 2024, could not find an investor who was willing to take over the last remaining ship - the "MS Aquamarin" - and convert it to an electric drive. The Harzwasserwerke, operators of the dam, had demanded this as a prerequisite in order not to endanger the drinking water supply, and that was the end of regular passenger trips since the 1970s.

The Okertalsperre was not only a popular destination for tourists, but also a playground for recreational boaters. Until recently, the “MS Aquamarin” offered trips across the picturesque Okersee, which is currently only 40 percent full. Experts are now hoping that the coming winter will bring enough precipitation to improve the water situation. The ship is expected to be lifted out of the dam and transported away in the fall, marking the sad end of an era.

The end of an era

For many, the “MS Aquamarine” was more than just a passenger ship. It was a part of home, a piece of resin on the water. “We can say goodbye somewhere else,” some regulars might have said with a wink. But the loss of this shipping also has an impact on the local economy, which depends on tourism. Hopes were high that a more environmentally friendly approach to shipping could bring salvation. Unfortunately that didn't work.

The cessation of shipping operations is not only a bitter setback for the region, but also shows the challenges that many companies are currently facing. Insolvency and the lack of investors are two sides of the same coin. The Harzwasserwerke acts proactively, but it takes more than just good intentions to preserve traditions.

A look ahead

But what happens now? The hope of new precipitation is important to maintain water levels, and perhaps there are still opportunities for innovative approaches in the area of ​​environmentally friendly shipping. The region could benefit from a thorough reorientation of its tourism offerings and from creative solutions - perhaps there will soon be new projects that build on the legacy of the “MS Aquamarine”.

In summary, the Oker Dam has been an important part of the leisure activities in the Harz for decades. The fact that the “MS Aquamarin” is no longer sailing leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill. However, it remains exciting to see how things develop as the region waits for better times and possible new initiatives.