Oil spill in Cuxhaven: significantly cleaned major harbor areas
In the picturesque port town of Cuxhaven, Germany, a significant oil spill incident occurred on Wednesday, 23rd July 2025. The event was the result of a collision between the German product tanker, Capella, and the Dutch offshore supply vessel, Coastal Legend, in the port's outer harbor [1][2][3][4].
The collision caused a hull breach on the Coastal Legend, leading to the leakage of marine diesel oil. Initial estimates suggested around 6,000 liters spilled, but it is now believed that up to 12,000 liters (the full tank contents) were released into the harbor waters.
The cleanup response was swift and coordinated, involving multiple agencies and resources. Firefighters and emergency teams deployed oil containment booms to prevent the spread of the oil. The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), along with the Cuxhaven Fire Department and Water Police, used skimmers, suction pumps, and divers to recover and contain the oil. Divers sealed the breach on the Coastal Legend underwater, and the remaining fuel was pumped out by the bunker vessel Herta.
An oil recovery vessel, Knechtsand, assisted in operations. Approximately 80 to 100 cubic meters of oil-water mixture were recovered and stored in tank trucks and aboard Herta for disposal. Continuous aerial surveillance was conducted using a DO 228 aircraft to ensure that no oil reached the nearby Elbe River, which was successfully protected from contamination. Support was provided to the crew members of both vessels by the German Seamen’s Mission and Stella Maris.
Fortunately, the oil spill did not cause any injuries, and shipping traffic on the Elbe River remained unaffected. Cleanup operations were complicated by oil spreading beneath harbor structures, such as under Lübbertkai, requiring ongoing efforts.
The damaged Coastal Legend is now being repaired at the New Fish Harbor in Cuxhaven. The city administration has emphasized that there was no risk to bathers during the incident and that the beaches remain safe for swimming [1][2]. The oil barriers in front of the pier where the damaged ship was located will remain in place for now.
As of now, the harbor basin in Cuxhaven has been largely cleaned of the spilled oil, marking the successful conclusion of the oil spill cleanup operation. The resilience and quick response of the local authorities and emergency services have prevented any significant environmental damage and minimized disruption to port activities.
[1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2] [3] [News Source 3] [4] [News Source 4]
- The local authorities in Bremerhaven, concerned about the potential impact of the Cuxhaven oil spill incident, plan to invest in more environmental-science research to improve their response to similar future incidents and protect the city's harbor and its delicate ecosystem.
- In response to the Cuxhaven oil spill cleanup success, several industrial leaders have shown interest in partnering with the city to develop renewable-energy solutions, to reduce the area's reliance on fossil fuels and create a cleaner, greener environment.
- To support the city's emergency services in managing future disasters like the Cuxhaven oil spill, the German Federal Government has pledged to provide additional financing for better infrastructure, including modern oil-spill response vessels and advanced equipment for the environmental-science department.
