The Kiel Canal (German: Nord-Ostsee-Kanal; NOK) is the world’s most frequented artificial waterway. As the direct route between North Sea and Baltic Sea, it is of great importance to the Port of Hamburg: every third container handled here passes through the canal.
Today, the Kiel Canal is one of the most important artificial waterways in the world. Around 27.000 vessels pass it every year, including many feeder and cruise ships as well as barges. The canal has also become a popular destination for tourists and pleasure crafts. All of this was unimaginable just 125 years ago, when the so-called “Eider Canal” was still a labyrinth of various rivers and streams, making it unnavigable. In order to enable the imperial fleet to sail between North Sea and Baltic Sea without having to cross Danish territorial waters, German Emperor Wilhelm I and Imperial Chancellor Otto von Bismarck first decided to break through the isthmus between Brunsbüttel and Kiel-Holtenau and finally gave the go-ahead for the construction of a canal on June 3, 1887.
As many as 9.000 workers from all over Europe completed construction within eight years, so that the canal could be opened on June 21, 1895. Emperor Wilhelm II, who was in office at the time, initially named it "Kaiser-Wilhelm-Kanal" in honor of his grandfather. A good 10 years after completion, however, the vessels of the Imperial Navy had become too large for the canal that was only 67 meters wide. Consequently, the width of the fairway was adjusted between 1907 and 1914. After the Second World War, the canal quickly developed into a major international transport artery. In 1948 it was finally renamed “Kiel Canal”.
However, due to the increasing size of cargo and cruise ships, in 1966 the Kiel Canal faced the same problem as it had almost 50 years earlier - it was too small. The following second adjustment ultimately led to the canal we know now. The fairway was widened to 90 meters and the canal itself to 162 meters, making it about three times bigger than the original “Kaiser-Wilhelm-Kanal” 125 years prior.
Over the years, the Kiel Canal has adapted to changing circumstances and demands. This is one reason why – even 125 years after its construction – the Kiel Canal is still Germany’s most important artificial waterway and indispensable to the Port of Hamburg.
The big lock in Brunsbüttel has been in operation since 1914 and needs refurbishment. To ensure navigability in the meantime, a new lock chamber is currently under construction between the two existing locks in Brunsbüttel. With an effective length of 330 meters, it will be 20 meters longer than its predecessors. Once opened, the original big lock can be renovated.
In recent years, the Kiel Canal has been facing major challenges due to increasing ship traffic and vessel sizes. In particular, the 18 kilometer-long eastern section between the Königsförde passing points and Holtenau inland port has become a major shipping bottleneck. For this reason, the canal embankment is being extended in this area and the bed is being widened to a minimum width of 70 meters.
The combined pedestrian, road and railway bridge was built in 1893 and is the oldest bridge of the Kiel Canal. Due to a planned widening of the canal and the fact that the bridge is nearing the end of its technical lifetime, there are now plans to build a replacement.
After 100 years of operation, the Kiel lock system also needs refurbishment. Work will begin with the replacement of the small lock, which has been out of service since 2014 due to considerable structural damage. Afterwards, the big lock is to be renovated.
