Iconic "Passat" ship in Travemünde faces 25 million euro renovation

Travemünde's iconic four-masted barque, the "Passat," is facing a critical need for a comprehensive renovation, with the estimated cost reaching 25 million euros. Rust damage is visible on the hull of the 1911-built ship, necessitating a major overhaul to preserve this floating landmark.

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The Passat is pop culture for Travemünde.

The city of Lübeck, which owns the vessel, is relying entirely on external funding for the project. Officials stated that the municipal budget is insufficient to cover the expenses, making a 100% financing through donations and grants essential. A fundraising campaign is already underway, and the city aims to avoid using public funds to prevent potential issues with traffic safety that could lead to the ship's decommissioning.

The "Passat" shares its heritage with the "Peking" as one of the "Flying P-Liners" from the former F. Laeisz shipping company. It once sailed routes carrying saltpeter from South America and wheat from Australia. The ship has survived two world wars and numerous ownership changes. After being converted into a cargo-carrying sailing training ship in the 1950s, it was saved from scrapping by Lübeck in 1960 and has been permanently moored there since.

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The tooth of time gnaws very strongly at it.

Designated a public attraction since 1966 and a protected monument since 1978, the "Passat" is recognized as a cultural monument of national importance due to its extensive history as a cargo vessel, training ship, and a German-French youth work ship. The association "Rettet die Passat" (Save the Passat) is actively involved in its preservation.

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It is a cultural monument of national importance due to its supra-regional history as a cargo sailor, then as a school sailing training ship and also as a German-French youth work ship.