Allision Closes Gate at Kiel Canal

A UK-flagged cargo ship is reported to had allided with the sliding lock gate in the Great Northern Chamber of the Kiel Canal at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Monday, as informed by the Waterways and Shipping Office in Holtenau.

The gate was closed immediately due to extensive damages that were caused by the allision. The extent of the damage will require replacement of the entire gate.

The vessel that was involved in the allison is MV Vectis Eagle, according to the report. The extent of the damage on the vessel has not been disclosed.

Repair work was launched immediately after the accident, the canal officials said, estimating that the lock chamber will reopen Tuesday evening.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

The canal links the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel-Holtenau. An average of 250 nautical miles (460 km) is saved by using the Kiel Canal instead of going around the Jutland Peninsula.

World Maritime News Staff; Image: Waterways and Shipping Office in Holtenau