Container ship hits historic bridge in Hamburg, causing major traffic disruptions

A container-laden inland vessel collided with Hamburg’s historic Freihafenelbbrücke bridge early Tuesday morning, damaging the nearly 100-year-old structure and forcing authorities to close it to all road and pedestrian traffic.

According to police, the ship was traveling on the Norderelbe River, a northern branch of the Elbe that runs through Hamburg, from Holthusenkai toward the Peutehafen when its containers struck the bridge around 5 a.m. Both the cargo and the bridge sustained damage, though no injuries were reported.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Officials said there were no signs that the 35-year-old captain was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. At the time of the collision, water levels were reported to be significantly higher than predicted by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, possibly reducing the clearance height under the bridge.

Built in 1926, the Freihafenelbbrücke has long been in need of renovation. In 2024, the Hamburg Port Authority restricted vehicles over 7.5 tons from using it to reduce structural strain.

While vessel traffic on the Norderelbe remains unaffected, the bridge closure has led to significant road disruptions. Authorities have not yet provided a timeline for reopening the bridge.