Ship collision in Cuxhaven: 6,000 liters of oil spilled in the port!

Ship collision in Cuxhaven: 6,000 liters of oil spilled in the port!

An unfortunate incident occurred in the port of Cuxhaven today, July 23, 2025, when the German tanker “Capella” with a length of 69 meters and the Dutch offshore supply ship “Coastal Legend” (44 meters) collided. The collision resulted in around 6,000 liters of fuel being released into the water. Emergency services from the fire department and the Technical Relief Agency (THW) responded immediately to prevent the oil contamination from spreading. The accident command described the incident as a “complex pollutant accident”, which means that every drop of oil in the water is far too much, as a spokeswoman for the accident command emphasized. Fortunately, there were no injuries in the collision.

The emergency services set up oil barriers and used special skimmers to remove the oil from the water surface. Such measures are crucial to protect the fragile ecosystems of the North Sea, which already suffer from heavy shipping traffic. data of Federal Environment Agency show that more than 30,000 ships pass through the busy Kiel Canal every year and shipping causes around 2.6% of global CO2 emissions. That's why incidents like this are a serious matter.

Cause of accident and cleanup work

The exact cause of the accident is currently unclear and the water police have started an investigation. As the cleanup continues, results are expected to be available in the coming days. Shipowner Jörg Schmidt has already criticized the authorities because shipping traffic in Cuxhaven is not restricted, but the ferries of the Juister shipping company Töwerland-Express have to remain in the port.

The collision also impacted surrounding islands, where patches of oil washed up. This could have long-term effects on local flora and fauna, as even small amounts of oil can severely impact habitats in the Wadden Sea, as the history of past oil spills shows.

Protecting marine ecosystems

It is no secret that maritime shipping has a serious impact on marine ecosystems. According to estimates, increasing shipping traffic not only increases the risk of accidents, but also brings with it significant environmental pollution, which international agreements such as MARPOL and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive are intended to minimize. These regulations aim to sustainably protect marine ecosystems and improve environmental protection in maritime transport.

The incident in Cuxhaven has once again shown us how important it is to have a good hand in ship traffic control and safety in the port. The deployment of the accident command and the quick response of the rescue workers are a positive example of how such complex pollutant accidents are managed. This is the only way to avoid further pollution of valuable waters.