Ro-Pax damaged after striking berthed bulker in Cuxhaven

UPDATE: A previous version of this story mistakenly claimed that Quebec government-owned ferry company Sociéte des traversiers du Québec (STQ) was the owner of the Saaremaa and had commented on the incident. We apologise for the error.

A German Ro-Pax that was to be handed over to a Canadian operator sustained damage after it struck a cargo ship in the Port of Cuxhaven on Wednesday, March 27.

The incident occurred as Saaremaa (pictured) was conducting sea trials out of Cuxhaven after being laid up in Hamburg when former operator Elbe Ferry went bankrupt in October of last year.

Strong currents pushed Saaremaa as it was sailing, causing it to allide with the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Curaçao Pearl which was berthed in Cuxhaven at the time.

The Ro-Pax then headed for the nearby Muetzelfeldt shipyard, where it has since been docked to undergo repairs.

Saaremaa’s starboard side foreship was damaged and needed a maximum of two days to repair, according to local authorities.

A local maritime officer has said this is the first time that the vessel was being operated by its present captain.