River cruise vessel A-ROSA SENA collides with a bridge as the air draft fails

A river cruise vessel, A-ROSA SENA, suffered structural damage after colliding with a bridge on the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal on 25 March 2026.

The 135-m passenger vessel, carrying over 200 passengers, struck the Amsterdam sebrug late at night while transiting from the IJ towards the canal system. The impact primarily damaged the wheelhouse, reportedly still in a raised position during passage.

Despite the collision, the vessel remained afloat and proceeded to a safe berth, allowing emergency services to board. A subsequent power failure onboard triggered a full evacuation, with passengers transferred by bus towards Cologne.

The helmsman sustained minor injuries, and no major passenger casualties were reported.

The incident caused short-term disruption to inland navigation and local infrastructure:

• Temporary bridge closure for structural inspection

• Emergency response deployment and passenger evacuation

• Voyage interruption on a scheduled Rhine cruise itinerary

• Likely off-hire period for repairs and inspection

Although the vessel avoided grounding or flooding, damage to the wheelhouse directly affects navigational control systems, requiring yard intervention before re-entry into service.

While the A-ROSA SENA incident resulted in limited injuries, it underscores the high sensitivity of inland cruise operations to procedural lapses. With dense traffic, fixed infrastructure, and passenger exposure, even low-speed allisions can trigger significant operational and commercial consequences.