VIDEO: Cargo ship’s wheelhouse ripped apart by bridge

A skipper is counting the cost of a decision to try and pass under a bridge on the Scheldt-Rhine Canal near Rilland after its wheelhouse was destroyed.

The 135m Southford was on its way to Kreekak locks, from Antwerp.

Currently there are no reports of injuries to people, despite the damage the ship suffered.

As captured in the video by Maikel Sebregts, the ship lost half its cabin.

“It has now become a convertible,” says one online commentator.

Main image is courtesy of HV Zeeland’s report, after the cargo ship’s wheelhouse was destroyed.

In April 2022, two cargo ships collided head on in the Kiel Canal, Germany, which caused the busy waterway to close to traffic for several hours. Seemingly there were few reports of disruption on the Scheldt-Rhine Canal after the wheelhouse incident.

mess created as cargo ship destroyed by bridgeImage courtesy of Maikel Sebregts
moment a cargo ship's wheelhouse is destroyed going under the bridgeImage courtesy of Maikel Sebregts