Concerns escalate in the maritime sector over declining tourist traffic along the Norwegian coastline
The Kiel Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the North and Baltic Seas, is facing operational challenges that are causing concern for the maritime industry in Germany and Europe.
The Kiel-Canal Initiative e.V. (IKC) and the Nautical Association of Kiel (NVzK) have raised concerns about the current state of the canal, calling for improvements to attractiveness and efficiency. They have urged the federal government to assign specialized personnel, such as nautical experts, technicians, and engineers, to the Waterways and Shipping Office NOK.
One of the primary issues is a general speed reduction of 20% to 12 km/h in the Kiel Canal, effective since July 1, 2023. This reduction has increased the demand for pilots and canal pilots, leading to potential delays and waiting times.
The IKC's chairman, Jens-Broder Knudsen, has stated that these operational issues are causing the canal to lose attractiveness for users. He has also highlighted incidents, such as the complete closure of the canal and delays in the locking process, which have not occurred in the canal's history.
The IKC and NVzK have also requested swift and consistent completion of ongoing planning, expansion, and renovation measures at NOK. They believe that the energy-saving function of NOK and the Kiel Firth lighthouse are crucial for traffic safety and their role within the trans-European network.
Moreover, the associations have urged the federal government to permanently halt the blanket job cuts at the WSV. They have also called for the creation of attractive working conditions at the WSV to ensure the efficient operation of the canal.
The Kiel lighthouse and the pilot transfer station have suffered significant damages after the Baltic Sea storm surge in October 2023. The IKC and NVzK have urged the urgent renovation of the Kiel Lighthouse to ensure safe and predictable passage for international shipping.
The Kiel-Canal Initiative e.V., founded at the end of 2012, unites various entities advocating for the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal's functional preservation and future viability. Its members include numerous companies, several chambers of commerce, public law corporations, institutions, associations, clubs, and regional authorities.
If you require detailed and up-to-date information on the Kiel Canal's operational and maintenance status, consulting specialized maritime or German infrastructure sources like the German Waterways and Shipping Administration or recent industry reports may be necessary.
The IKC and NVzK have expressed concern that the Kiel Canal, as an important alternative to the Skagen route, will continue to lose attractiveness due to these operational issues. They believe that addressing these challenges is essential for maintaining the canal's significance to the maritime industry in Germany and Europe.
[Contact Information] Ingo Berger, Chairman of the Nautical Association of Kiel, can be reached at 0176/61482057. Jens B. Knudsen, Chairman of the Kiel-Canal Initiative e.V., can be contacted at 0431/9810.
- The IKC and NVzK have expressed concern that the operational issues in the Kiel Canal, a crucial waterway for the maritime industry in Germany and Europe, may lead to a decrease in the canal's attractiveness, particularly in comparison to the Skagen route.
- To maintain the Kiel Canal's significance to the aerospace, finance, public-transit, and transportation sectors, the IKC and NVzK have urged the federal government to take immediate action, such as assigning specialized personnel, completing ongoing renovation measures, and improving working conditions at the Waterways and Shipping Office NOK.
- The IKC and NVzK have also highlighted the importance of the Kiel Lighthouse for traffic safety and the canal's role within the trans-European network, requesting the urgent renovation of the lighthouse following damages from a Baltic Sea storm surge.
