Kiel Canal

Size limits

Max LOA 235m, beam 32.5m, max draught for transit is 9.5m according to length and beam.

Water density

Varies.

Load line zone

Baltic side: Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

North Sea side: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Holtenau approach: None.

Port limits

The Kiel Canal extends from the connecting line between the pier heads at Brunsbuttel to the connecting line between the entrance lights at Kiel-Holtenau, together with the Giselau Canal, Schirnauer Lake, Borgstedter Lake, Audorfer Lake, Obereider Lake with Narrows, Achterwehrer Canal and the Flemhuder Lake.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Reporting System: This system is mandatory for vessels over 50m in length and all vessels carrying dangerous cargoes. It is controlled by Wasser und Schiffahrtsamt (WSA) Kiel-Holtenau through Kiel Canal Radio stations below. Tel: +49 431 36030; Fax: +49 431 360 3454, Telex: 292836.

Other vessels wishing to navigate the Kiel Canal should inform WSA Kiel-Holtenau, Aussenstelle Kiel-Holtenau (KA), Schleuseninsel, 24159 Kiel 17, throughout 24 hours before ETA or on departure from last port.

Masters must keep UCA Brunsbuttel well informed by Email, fax or telex

Information Broadcasts: Available by Kiel Canal II on VHF Ch 02 at 15 and 45 minutes past every hour and by Kiel Canal III on VHF Ch 03 at 20 and 50 minutes past every hour. These broadcasts include reports on traffic, weather and visibility, restrictions on shipping, and shipping diversions when visibility is less than 600m. Vessels should monitor these reports, and should not call the station if this can be avoided.

Anchorages

The best anchorage is obtained in Holtenau-Reede on the W side of the harbour, in depths of approx 13.0m. The S part of this roadstead is reserved for vessels about to enter the canal. The S limit of the anchorage is marked by Nos 11 and 13 Lightbuoys (starboard hand), and the N limit by the lightbuoys (special) marking Friedrichsort degaussing range.

Good anchorage can also be obtained in Heikendorf-Reede, approx 1.25nm E of the entrance to Der Nord-Ostee-Kanal, in depths between 7.0m and 12.0m, mud. Vessels with explosives or inflammable cargo must anchor here or in Strander Bucht. This anchorage is also used by vessels waiting to enter the canal when Holtenau-Reede is crowded.

Anchoring is available for vessels waiting for the allocation of a berth anywhere in Kieler Handelshafen, providing there is no obstruction either to the navigation of the fairway, or to the approaches to any of the many harbours and berths.

Vessels awaiting a mooring in the lower Schwentine (54°19.9'N 010°10.4'E) may only anchor outside the Schwentine off the entrance.

Note: Only some parts of Kieler Handelshafen (Holtenau Aussenhafen, Binnenhafen Holtenau, Nordhafen and Bunkerbrucke Projensdorf) are part of the Kiel Canal.

Quarantine anchorage: A vessel obliged to display the quarantine flag must anchor in the N part of Holtenau-Reede, and await the assignment of a berth.

Restrictions

Two sets of locks at each end of the canal have restrictive dimensions. New locks have usable length 330m, usable width 42m and depth of 13m. The old locks have usable length 125m, usable width 22m, with depth of 10.2m at Holtenau and 9.8m at Brunsbuttel.

The canal waterway has a width of between 102m and 162m and depth of 11.0m. Max height of masts above water level 40m.

Max speed on the canal is 15km/hr or 12km/hr for ships with special dimensions. Min speed is 9km/hr.

Tugs

Available from Kiel or Brunsbuttel. Tugs are generally not compulsory, but sometimes ordered by the Master in order to ensure a safe approach - particularly in Brunsbuttel due to current/tide.

Vessels exceeding LOA 200m and/or breadth of 27m have to accept tug-assistance when approaching Brunsbuttel Lock from River Elbe.

Mooring

For Kiel contact: Seehafen Kiel GmbH & Co, Bollhornkai 1, 24103 Kiel, Tel: +49 431 9822.

For Rendsburg contact: Kreishafenamt, Am Kreishafen 4, 24768 Rendsburg, Tel: +49 4331 2247.

Charts and publications

DE 42, 46, 50. BA 259, 2106, 2344, 2182A, 2942, 4140. US Publication 192. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP55, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels wishing to navigate Kieler Forde are required to give 24 hours notice of ETA.

Documents

No documentation is required for the transit of Kiel Canal. Waterclerks will board the vessel upon arrival locks for clearance. The Master is required to present the original international tonnage certificate having a copy of same available and a copy of crew list for Immigration Officers.

Customs and immigration

For Customs and Immigration contact: Zollamt Kiel-Wik/Customs-house Kiel-Wik Uferstr 6, 24106 Kiel, Tel: +49 431 32098-6, Fax: +49 431 32098-88.

Bundesgrenzubergangsstelle Holtenau, Schleuseninsel 64, 24159 Kiel, Tel: +49 431 34041, Fax: +49 431 30255.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie.

Position: Head of Maritime Shipping Department.

Address: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt u. Hydrographie (BSH) Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency Section S42 - Martime Security

Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78

20359 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 3190 7420

Fax: +49 40 3190 5009

Mob: +49 40 3190 7777

Web: http://www.deutsche-flagge.de/

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: The supply of fresh water is available at the locks of Holtenau, but only during locking. Ships crew has to prepare connection with fresh water pipe by own means.

Bunkering: Available at Brunsbuttel, Kiel, Ostermoor and Rendsburg.

For Kiel contact:

Bomin Group, Tel/Fax: +49 403 7004, Email: mail@bomin,com.

OW Bunker, Tiessenkai, 24159 Kiel, Tel: + 49 431 361640.

Medical

At Kiel and Brunsbuttel.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hamburg, 100km.

Nearest railway: At Rendsburg and Kiel.

Working hours

Twenty four hour transit is permitted through the locks and canal.

Where it is

The Kiel Canal - the world's busiest artificial waterway, runs for almost 100km through Schleswig-Holstein from Brunsbuttel to Kiel-Holtenau - and links the North Sea with the Baltic.

Traffic

Approx 100,000,000t of cargo and 30,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Kiel Canal?

Vessels Outbound and short distance traffic: Call: Brunsbuttel Elbe Pilot, VHF Ch 09.

What time zone is Kiel Canal in?

Local time at Kiel Canal is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Kiel Canal?

Varies.

Which load line zone is Kiel Canal in?

Baltic side: Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kiel Canal?

Port State Control at Kiel Canal: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kiel Canal?

The UN/LOCODE of Kiel Canal is DECKL.

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