Ship spotters and other onlookers on land can look forward to the usual spectacle, but shipping on the Ems will have to be patient: At 9 a.m. on Wednesday 17 September, the Ems barrage at Gandersum will be completely closed and therefore impassable. The section of the fairway between Leerort and Papenburg will also be closed
Blocking for safe passage
The reason for this is the transfer of the "Disney Destiny" from the Meyer Werft in Papenburg across the Ems to the North Sea. To enable the safe passage of the 340 metre long cruise ship, the river must first be dammed.
The lifting of the traffic jam and the end of the closure are scheduled for 12 noon on Friday, 19 September, immediately after the new construction has passed. Current updates on the closure times will be announced by the Ems traffic centre ("Ems-Traffic") via VHF.
The journey of the "Disney Destiny" on the Ems
As the responsible Ems-North Sea Waterways and Shipping Office announced in the Notice to Mariners (BfS) the oversized "Disney Destiny" is scheduled to begin its journey on 18 September at around 9 pm. It will pass the Jann Berghaus Bridge in Leer at 5 a.m. the following morning and the barrier in Gandersum at 12 noon.
The 144,000-tonne vessel, which has a restricted draught in accordance with collision prevention regulations, will be underway with tug assistance and will also be accompanied by official vehicles from the authorities. Should unforeseen circumstances lead to a postponement, a new date will be announced at short notice.
Third of five ships in the Wish class
The "Disney Destiny" is the third of five cruise ships in the Wish class that Disney Cruise Line has ordered from Meyer Werft in Papenburg. The first two sister ships have already been delivered and the last ship is scheduled for completion in 2029. All ships in the Wish class have ten passenger decks and are equipped with 1250 cabins. They are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
