Cargo vessel Rustica strikes railway bridge in Germany
On the afternoon of September 15, the 86-metre inland cargo vessel Rustica (MMSI: 244060826) struck a railway bridge on the River Hunte near Elsfleth, Germany.
The vessel was sailing from Brake to Oldenburg when its wheelhouse hit the underside of the temporary railway bridge while attempting to pass beneath it.
The impact tore away parts of the wheelhouse, although the debris remained on board and did not fall into the water. Two crew members who were inside the wheelhouse at the time of the collision were not injured.
Despite the damage, Rustica remained operational and proceeded under its own power to a nearby berth, where it was secured. The Bremen Vessel Traffic Service subsequently prohibited the vessel from continuing its voyage.
Rail traffic across the bridge was temporarily suspended while specialists inspected the structure. No damage to the bridge was discovered, allowing railway services to resume approximately two hours later. Navigation on the river was not interrupted.
The water police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Authorities are working to establish why the vessel was unable to pass safely beneath the bridge.
The temporary structure has been in use since another vessel seriously damaged the previous railway bridge in February 2024. A new bridge near Elsfleth is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
