Sliding ferry: Operation of the "Missunde III" cancelled again shortly after launch

After less than four weeks in operation, the grinding ferry "Missunde III" between Brodersby and Kosel is once again cancelled until at least mid-June. Community representatives and local entrepreneurs are preparing a class action lawsuit against the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

The series of mishaps surrounding the new electric ferry "Missunde III" continues. After two years of teething troubles, failed test runs, conversions and missing certificates, the new grinding ferry has been in operation for less than a month.

• Start of Missunde III postponed again

Total failure of the grinding ferry in the peak season

But things finally got underway at the end of April. But now, just in time for the busy Whitsun weekend, both drive belts have broken and the ferry's operation has been completely suspended until at least mid-June - a total breakdown in the middle of the peak season. A replacement has been ordered and will arrive in a fortnight' time, promises the Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz Schleswig-Holstein (LKN.SH), which commissioned the new construction.

A week earlier, a drive belt had broken. However, it was possible to replace it with a spare belt. "We then ordered new ones straight away and hoped that the second one would last until the repeat order arrived, but unfortunately that wasn't the case," he admits. The replacement belt was too badly damaged and has now also broken.

Several incidents in just one month

In the just four weeks since the repeatedly postponed commissioning, there have already been several incidents. A loud bang, presumably of mechanical origin, led to an unplanned stop of the grinding ferry. In another incident, a car was damaged when the ferry jumped off the hook and backed up a little. In addition, the new ferry takes longer to make the crossing than the old ferry, according to captain and leaseholder Rüdiger Jöns. This means that fewer cars can be transported overall despite the higher loading capacity.

The chronology of the ferry fiasco on the Schlei:

• April/May 2024: Petition launched to preserve the old grinding ferry "Missunde II"
• July 2024: Deployment of the new ferry only from winter 2025/26
• September 2024: 100,000 euros for the repurchase of the old ferry
• January 2025: 1.3 million euros for the conversion of "Missunde III"
• March 2026: Launch of Missunde III postponed again

Action for damages against the state

For tenant Rüdiger Jöns, the municipality of Brodersby-Goltoft and the local businesses, the measure is now full. Together with local businesses - especially from the catering and tourism sectors - marina operator Christian Jannik and Mayor Joschka Buhmannn are preparing a class action lawsuit for damages against the state of Schleswig-Holstein. "We have lost some customers who can no longer get onto the ferry with their boats because the approach angle is so bad that they would get stuck with the rudder blade or the light bars. They then drive to the competition and go into the water there." Says Christian Jannik, operator of the Brodersby marina. According to Mayor Joschka Buhmann, private individuals, for example commuters, who have suffered economic damage due to the cancellation of the ferry, could also take part in the lawsuit.

Certificate for the grinding wheel is also still pending

The solar ferry "Missunde III" has repeatedly made negative headlines over the past four years. It was actually due to be completed in autumn 2022. However, test runs showed that major modifications were necessary. The old ferry, which had been sold in the meantime, had to be bought back from the state for a high price. After several years of delays and a number of breakdowns, the "Missunde III" could now be put into operation at the end of April - but only to a limited extent, as a final certificate is still pending. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are not yet allowed on board. In future, vehicles weighing up to 25 tonnes are to be transported across the Schlei.