The historic Norwegian cruise ship Nordstjernen sustained damage after losing propulsion and striking the quay at the Imperial Shipyard (Stocznia Cesarska) in Gdańsk, Poland. The incident occurred after a technical failure in the vessel’s propulsion system caused the ship to lose maneuverability during port operations.
The accident took place on June 19, when the vessel was maneuvering in the Port of Gdańsk. According to preliminary reports, a failure of the main propulsion system left the crew unable to control the ship, causing it to collide with the quay at relatively high speed. The dramatic impact was captured by shore-based surveillance cameras and witnessed by people nearby.
A total of 218 people were on board the vessel, including 109 passengers and 109 crew members. Despite the force of the collision, no injuries were reported, and no evacuation was required.
The vessel sustained damage to its bow, including a 25-centimeter breach above the waterline. Fortunately, there was no water ingress into the hull, and authorities confirmed that no fuel or oil pollution occurred as a result of the accident.
Following an initial inspection, Nordstjernen was towed to the Gdańsk Repair Shipyard, where it will undergo a detailed technical assessment of the hull, propulsion machinery, and steering systems before repair work begins.
Built in 1956 at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, MS Nordstjernen is one of Norway’s most iconic passenger ships. The vessel spent decades operating on the famous Hurtigruten coastal route before being preserved as a protected maritime heritage vessel. Today, it continues to operate heritage cruises, offering passengers a unique opportunity to experience classic Scandinavian maritime history.
The incident highlights the operational challenges of maintaining and operating historic vessels. While carefully preserved and regularly maintained, ships of this age require continuous technical monitoring, particularly when maneuvering in confined port areas where even a brief propulsion failure can quickly lead to an accident.
