Discover the Berlin: Ratings & Maritime News

On June 14, 2025, the ferry 'Berlin' experienced an unexpected turn of events while traveling from Rostock to Gedser. A malfunction involving the bow visor prevented it from opening, compelling the vessel to return to Rostock shortly before reaching its destination. The issue stemmed from a defective locking pin that obstructed the disembarkation of cars and trucks through the bow hatch, making it impossible for the ferry to dock in the Danish port. After a two-hour journey, the ferry safely returned to Rostock at approximately 1:15 p.m. Upon arrival, the 'Berlin' was able to moor stern-first, requiring the first vehicles to reverse in order to exit via the ramp. Fortunately, other vehicles were able to turn around on the deck for a forward disembarkation. In the meantime, the sister vessel 'Copenhagen' stepped in to cover the scheduled sailings. Technicians worked diligently overnight to rectify the issue on the 'Berlin', allowing it to resume regular operations by the morning of June 15.

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has officially released its findings regarding a fire that erupted in the main engine room of the ferry 'Berlin' on August 13, 2020. The incident occurred while the vessel was on its routine journey to Rostock, at approximately 2:45 PM, about 2.6 nautical miles off the sea channel. Alarms in the engine control room and workshop initiated the response, starting with the IMAC Alarm that indicated a low gear oil sump level. Ship mechanic 1 (SM 1) quickly identified the issue, which stemmed from a leak in the double nipple connected to the gearbox pressure gauge. Meanwhile, ship mechanic 2 (SM 2) arrived on Deck 1 to find flames and smoke emanating from the turbocharger of main engine 2. By 2:46 PM, smoke alarms activated in the main engine room; however, the object protection system failed to function due to reliance on dual detector activation for an alarm trigger. At 2:50 PM, SM 2 took the initiative to halt main engine 2, followed by the technical officer in the engine control room, who ceased operations for all main engines and the electric gear oil pump. An emergency stop was also engaged from the bridge to disengage the gearbox. The engine room crew, including the TO, SM 1, and SM 2, commenced manual firefighting efforts using handheld extinguishers. Shortly afterward, at 2:51 PM, a general alarm sounded from the bridge, prompting the mustering of crew and passengers. The bridge team also activated the quick-closing valves for the fuel supply of the engines. By 2:53 PM, an announcement was made to passengers, and a distress call was dispatched to Warnemünde Vessel Traffic Services, indicating their readiness to leave the sea channel while managing the fire internally, noting that no external assistance was required. The investigation revealed that material fatigue in the pressure gauge pipe led to the leak, which sprayed gear oil onto hot engine surfaces, resulting in the fire. Although initial firefighting efforts were performed according to standard protocols, later actions by the crew fell short of established safety procedures, given the rapidly escalating fire risk. The report emphasizes the importance of ongoing comprehensive training for all crew members, including Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) courses for those on the front lines of fire response, thus ensuring preparedness for any future emergencies. For complete details, access the full report here: https://www.bsu-bund.de/SharedDocs/pdf/DE/Unfallberichte/2022/Untersuchungsbericht_261_20.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3

Scandlines has made significant strides in eco-friendly maritime technology with the installation of a second rotor sail on its hybrid ferry, the 'Berlin'. This upgrade comes after a successful year-long trial with its sister ship, the 'Copenhagen', showcasing promising results that align with Scandlines' ambitious goal to achieve zero emissions by 2040. The rotor sail installation took place on May 16, 2022, in Rostock, executed in collaboration with Norsepower. Standing at an impressive 98 feet above the deck and with a diameter of 16.5 feet, the rotor sail was mounted efficiently during an overnight service stop. This strategic implementation followed a methodical two-stage installation plan developed by Norsepower and Scandlines. Initially, a sturdy steel foundation was affixed to the deck, allowing subsequent wiring and installation work to continue seamlessly while the ferry remained operational. The rotor sail was then expertly lifted into position by a crane at the dock, marking another step toward greener maritime travel. For further insights and visuals of the installation, you can view the detailed report here: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/rotor-sail-installed-on-second-scandlines-hybrid-ferry.