Kiel

1. Kiel Pilot Pilot boards54°28.9′N 010°17.6′E
2. Kiel Pilot Pilot boards54°30.0′N 010°17.7′E

Size limits

Draught 10.5m, LOA 315.7, beam 37.6m, 55,809DWT

Water density

Varying from 1013 to 1025.

Load line zone

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.

Tides

Nil.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Vessels enter the harbour either from the W through Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal, or from the NE by passage from Kieler Bucht through Kieler Forde. Max depth approx 11.5m.

Port limits

The N limit of Kieler Handelshafen extends SE from the S side of the entrance to Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal to a position on the E shore about 0.9nm N of the mouth of the River Schwentine (54°20.0'N 010°10.0'E).

Anchorages

The best anchorage is obtained in Holtenau-Reede on the W side of the harbour, in depths of about 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, about 1.5nm E of the entrance to Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal, as shown on the chart, in depths between 7.0-12.0m, 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.

With permission of Wasser and Schiffahrtsamt (Federal water board authority).

Restrictions

Controlling depth is about 16.0m through Kieler Fjorde, decreasing to 11.5m at the head of the inner Fjord.

Speed is restricted to a maximum of 10kts in the S part of Kieler Ford and throughout Kieler Handelshafen, and to a maximum of 5kts at distances less than 200m from piers, harbours and moorings.

Tugs

Tug "Bulk" with fire fighting capability, 720m³/hr. Company office for all tugs, Tel: +49 431 594 1263 (day and night).

Mooring

Vessels to berth with bow seaward unless arranged otherwise prior to arrival with Port Authority.

Charts and publications

BA 2469, 696. German D 33, Approaches to Kieler Forde, D 34, approaches to ports of Kiel. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP286(2).

Communications

Kiel Port: Monitors Ch 16, 11 within limits of the port of Kiel. Operates during working hours (Mon to Thu 0700-1600hrs, Fri 0800-1400hrs). After office hours, contact Kiel Port Authority Mob: +49 171 649 7373.

Pilot station notes: In the area around Kiel Light Tower, pilots can be contacted on Ch 14.

Within "Aussenforde", inbound vessels switch from Ch 14 to Ch 12 at "Buoy 1". Outbound vessels switch from Ch 12 to Ch 14 at "Friedrichsort".

In the waters and roadsteads W of Holtenau Locks, vessels with pilots also use Ch 12 as well as Ch 73. In this area "Holtenau Pilot" and "Kiel Kanal 4" are also operating.

Vessels with pilots clearing Kiel Harbour switch from Ch 11 to Ch 12, N of the line joining "Buoy Kiel 4" and "Buoy K1".

Information on lock traffic can be obtained from "Kiel Kanal 4" on Ch 12.

Vessels entering Kiel Harbour switch to Ch 11, S of the line joining Scheerhafen N Mole, "Buoy K4".

Standard messages

No standard messages.

Notice of readiness

To be arranged with terminal.

Health

Pratique on arrival.

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

Ship Sanitation Control certification facilities available.

Flags

Flag "B" for dangerous cargoes, or when loading and/or transferring bunkers.

Notices and regulations

No overboard discharge of sewage allowed.

Vessels intending to transit Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal must wait at the S limit of Holtenau-Reede, which marks the fairway approaches to the canal, to embark the pilot.

The fairway approaches to Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal may only be used by vessels that are entering or leaving the canal.

A vessel leaving Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal bound for Kieler Handelshafen must leave the approaches to the canal by the shortest route after clearing Nordmole at Scheerhafen.

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

Repairs of all kinds can be carried out.

Dry docks

The shipyard can build vessels of up to 40,000DWT on a grid.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: All grades available from numerous shore points and by barge.

Medical

There are several hospitals in Kiel.

Crew change

Possible, hotel accommodation available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kiel; Hamburg, 90km.

Nearest railway: Kiel.

The port is linked to a national rail network by shuttle trains which connect Kiel with Hamburg's Billwerder Marshalling Yard, block trains serving the Ruhr and northern Italy and direct train links to and from Duisburg.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1600hrs, Sat 0700-1300hrs. Overtime available.

Where it is

Kiel is located at the Baltic Sea entrance of the Kiel Canal.

The port

It is a natural harbour, usually ice free, specialising in Ro-Ro and cruise traffic. There are ship building and repair docks.

Traffic

Approx 7,000,000t of cargo, 23,600TEU, 1,700 vessels and 2,400,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kiel?

The pilot boards at Kiel Pilot, 54°28.9′N 010°17.6′E. Kiel has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Kiel in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Kiel?

The deepest berth listed is at Ostuferhafen Terminal: 11.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kiel?

Varying from 1013 to 1025.

Which load line zone is Kiel in?

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?

Port State Control at Kiel: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kiel?

The UN/LOCODE of Kiel is DEKEL.

What crews who called at Kiel say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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