Key Aspects:
- In an unusual incident, a forklift rolled off the pier and into a cruise ship that was docked in Corfu, Greece.
- It’s not clear which cruise ship was hit, but Viking Sea, AIDAblu, and MSC Fantasia were all present at the time.
- Thankfully, the damage was only superficial and there was no significant impact to cruising operations for the ship or for the busy port.
Collisions rarely occur at cruise ports. When they do, the story is usually that a cruise ship accidentally impacted the pier while docking or one vessel managed to float into another, typically with extenuating circumstances in the mix.
But a rogue forklift falling into the water and hitting a cruise ship is certainly unique, to say the least.
However, that is exactly what happened in the popular port of Corfu, Greece, on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
In the early morning hours, likely during or just before disembarkation, a forklift fell into the Neo Limani, or New Port. This is the main port where cruise ships dock.
According to local news outlet Enimerosi, the unidentified 59-year-old driver said that he had parked the vehicle on the pier, when the forklift allegedly developed a mind of its own and decided to start moving again anyway.
Unable to be stopped, the forklift rolled into the sea and hit the right stern of a cruise ship on its way down. Thankfully, the impact only caused two superficial scratches.
The specific cruise ship was not specified, but Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sea, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAblu, and MSC Cruises’ MSC Fantasia were all docked in Corfu on Saturday.
Officials from the Greek Coast Guard and the Corfu Port authority responded to the scene, with an investigation by the Corfu Central Port Authority now underway.
It’s possible that the driver hadn’t fully engaged the parking brake but thought that he had, or that something was wrong with its transmission or parking mechanism.
It’s also not clear what the driver was using the forklift for, but they are commonly used to help efficiently transport checked luggage between the ship and the cruise terminal.
Alternatively, they are also used to transport supplies to and from the ship and even to dispose of onboard waste.
No Delays to Cruising
While this event was unusual and had the potential to be quite serious, the damage wasn’t too severe and no injuries have been reported.
Cruise ship tracking data shows that all three cruise ships left the port at their scheduled times and are cruising at normal speeds.
As the scratches were superficial, it wouldn’t have been a safety concern to continue operating the planned itinerary.
It’s likely something that can be addressed during an upcoming port call or turnaround day or can wait for a routine dry dock visit.
Minor cosmetic damage can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to fix, depending on the extent of the damage, which both the cruise lines and the cruise ports typically have insurance for.
Read Also: 10 Worst Cruise Fails You Can Prepare For
The forklift likely took the brunt of the damage, as it was completely submerged in the salty sea water. It was quickly fished out of the harbor with the assistance of a private crane and a private diver.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway was then able to call on the port as part of an 11-night sailing from Barcelona to Trieste, Italy, on August 18, 2025, with no issue.
The cruise port, which is considered the second busiest in Greece in terms of revenue and passenger visits, is expecting eight more ship calls before the week is through.
