Browsed by
Tag: Kiel Canal

Kiel Canal Collision

Kiel Canal Collision

Essence

On the morning of February 6, the 168 meter long, 21298 dwt container ship Essence (IMO: 9491496)  collided with the 142 meter long, 9516 dwt container ship X-Press Mülhacen (IMO: 9365960) on the Kiel Canal next to the Holtenau locks at Kiel, Germany. The Essence, en route to Rotterdam from Kotka, was exiting out of the south lock in thick fog when it scraped against the X-Press Mülhacen as it was attempting to enter the north lock. Both vessels were detained while the water police launched an investigation into the incident. After the questioning and inspections were completed a few hours later, the Essence was allowed to proceed on its voyage. Reports state the X-Press Mülhacen was detained until the evening of February 6 before it could continue on its journey to Gdynia.  There were no reports of injuries or any pollution released.

X-Press Mülhacen

Sommen

Sommen

Sommen
Photo: shz.de

On the early morning of February 5, the 90 meter long, 5248 dwt cargo vessel Sommen (IMO: 9968138) ran aground on the Kiel Canal near Oldenbüttel, Germany. The Sommen was en route to Avedøre from Aveiro when it suffered an electrical fault causing the vessel to veer and run up on the southern embankment. The crew was able to make repairs and the Sommen continued on its voyage before it had a second incident. As the vessel approached Rendsburg, it suffered engine failure and ran aground along the southern embankment. Authorities dispatched the tug Holtenau (IMO: 8200321) to assist. The tug pulled the Sommen free later that morning and towed it to a quay at Kiel. There the cargo vessel was inspected for damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Sommen had a prior incident on the Kiel back in October 2024.

Bernhard Schepers

Bernhard Schepers

Bernhard Schepers

On the morning of February 1. the 150 meter long, 10600 dwt container ship Bernhard Schepers (IMO: 9492505) allided with the lock in the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, Germany. Reports state the boxship was entering the new north lock in dense fog when it struck the central tail and gate niche. While there were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released from the Bernhard Schepers, the lock gate did sustained some damage. Authorities have stated the lock gate is inoperable and the Bernhard Schepers has remain stuck within the lock.  The water police has not released any further details, but it is assumed repairs are ongoing to get the lock gate working again.

There have been several recent allisions at Brunsbüttel which has damaged both the north and south locks.  Here are just a recent few: