On the afternoon of May 5, the 82.5 meter long, 3480 dwt carbon dioxide tanker Embla (IMO: 9279446) allided on the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Embla was headed for Hamburg from Kiel when it struck the center wall in the new south lock. The Embla only suffered slight damage to its paint and the lock wall only suffered minor damage. There were no injuries and no pollution released. The water police opened an investigation into the incident.
On May 5, the 90 meter long self-propelled barge Tor Elbe (MMSI: 211505920) collided with the 86 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Daniel Deymann (MMSI: 211888330) at the entrance to the south lock of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Tor Elbe was entering the lock when it suffered a mechanical fault and struck the Daniel Deymann. While there was no injuries on either vessel, the tanker-barge sustained damage. The Daniel Deymann had hull damage to its stern resulting in water ingress. The Brunsbüttel fire brigade arrived on site and assisted in dewatering the vessel. Reports state the Tor Elbe had only slight damage from the incident.
Authorities took the lock out of service after the incident for several hours while it was inspected. The Daniel Deymann was able to proceed under it’s own power through the lock and proceed on its voyage the following morning to Hamburg. The Tor Elbe remained at Brunsbüttel overnight while authorities conducted an investigation before it was also allowed to continue on its journey. Reports state the Tor Elbe reached Rendsburg the following afternoon.
On March 27, the 154.5 meter long, 18457 dwt container ship Frederik (IMO: 9328637) ran aground on the Kiel Canal near Fischerhütte, Germany. The Frederik departed from Hamburg bound for Klaipeda when it encountered a fault resulting in engine failure near Fischerhütte. The boxship was unable to steer and drifted aground on the embankment. Authorities ordered all shipping traffic in the area to be halted and dispatched two tugs to assist. The tug Fairplay 54 (IMO: 9021112) and Fairplay 57 (IMO: 9036246) arrived on site and able to pull the Frederik free. The vessel was later towed to a landing where it was moored. Reports state there were no injuries and no pollution released.