The Dutch inland cargo vessel Anja 1 struck a pile foundation near the bridge on Ellinghauser Strasse in Dortmund, Germany. No injuries or environmental pollution were reported.
The incident occurred at around 18:24 local time while the vessel was transporting a cargo of scrap metal. The impact caused significant damage to the bow, creating a crack in the hull that allowed water to enter the forward compartment. As the bow section flooded, the vessel experienced a temporary loss of onboard power.
Despite the damage, Anja 1 was able to proceed under its own power to Hardenberg Harbour, where it was safely moored. Fire services responded and provided assistance. A generator from a fireboat was used to restore temporary power, enabling the crew to run a submersible pump and reduce the water level inside the vessel.
To further stabilize the vessel and prevent additional water ingress, Hardenberg port personnel used an excavator to unload part of the scrap metal cargo. This helped raise the damaged bow section out of the water and limited further flooding. After these measures, the vessel’s electrical supply was fully restored.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.
