Article

Fewer ships and less pilotage: Kiel Canal suffers from corona crisis like many other waterways


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 26 May 2020 475 -

Brunsbüttel, photo by Frank Diegel

In April, 25 percent fewer ships on the German Kiel Canal (NOK) - and things could get even worse. It seems that the exemplary situation at the NOK certainly affects many other channels in the world in a similar way.


When the powerful tug bolides of the Kieler Schleppgesellschaft (SFK) lie unemployed on the quayside for days on end, this is an unmistakable sign for coastal residents: On the North Sea and Baltic Sea - but especially in the locks and on the German Kiel Canal (NOK) - there is little going on.

This has now been officially confirmed: Compared to the same month last year, around 25 percent fewer ships sailed the NOK in April 2020 - "only 1749 in total," says Claudia Thoma from the Water and Shipping Directorate in Kiel. In terms of cargo volumes, the authority registered only 5.01 million tonnes after 7.01 million tonnes in April 2019, a drop of 29 percent.

"The main factors for the currently declining traffic figures in the Kiel Canal are the corona-related decline in transshipment activity in the ports of the North Sea and Baltic Sea and the low bunker prices. This is leading to ships choosing the Skagen route."
Claudia Thoma


Matthias Probst as head of the pilot association is afraid that this decline is not yet over. "The first two weeks of May looked anything but good either." He doesn't want to rule out that the decline from last year will be as high as 40 percent.

Probst also points to low fuel costs and the decreasing time pressure that is causing shipowners to take the longer route around Denmark's northern tip. At the beginning of the year, a ton of heavy oil still costs 350 dollars, but at the moment the ships are paying just 100 dollars.

It is not only the price of oil
But according to Probst, the concern about an infection of the crew also keeps many ship owners from going through the canal with their ships. They want maximum lack of contact. Canal helmsmen, pilots, agents who enter the ship between Kiel and Brunsbüttel are considered a danger.

The massive decline in passages causes considerable financial losses for pilots. Although they are regarded as self-employed, their association has a status under public law - which is why they fall through all the grids of state emergency programs.

Claims on the German government
Jens Broder Knudsen, chairman of the Kiel-Canal initiative, recently wrote a letter to the Federal Ministry of Transport calling for a reduction in the charges for using the canal to make the waterway more attractive. In view of the billions invested in widening the canal and building new locks, the temporary waiver of navigation fees will not make a difference either, experts say.

What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Corona causes financial impact on some Marine Pilots

by Frank Diegel - published on 8 April 2020

Fewer vessels in voyage mean less pilotage and this means less income for many Pilots. Not every Pilot is an employee and many pilots are self-employed and organised in a brotherhood per example. They are earning only money if they are piloting a vessel. No vessel – no money.

0

Article Lock in Kiel-Holtenau is back in operation after accident

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 4 September 2020

According to WSA Kiel-Holtenau: The northern chamber of the Great Lock has been put back into operation. Both chambers are available to the shipping industry.

2

Video 24/7 Live Webcam - Kiel Canal at Kiel Lock in Germany | Nord-Ostsee-Kanal Schleuse Kiel

published on 29 August 2020

Webcam Schleuse Kiel-Holtenau | Webcam Lock Kiel-Holtenau
Pilotage Service in this Area by:

0

Article The world's largest container ship "Ever Ace" completes its first transit through the Suez Canal

published on 16 October 2021

On August 28, the world's largest container ship completed its first crossing in the Suez Canal. Due to its huge size and this is the first voyage of the ship, it has received extra attention and special treatment from the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).

0

Opinion "A Pilot Ladder has its Price!" - Statement of Joris J. Stuip (PTR Holland)

by PTR Holland® B.V. - published on 10 February 2020

Please read this statement of Joris J. Stuip from PTR Holland, Partner of Marine-Pilots.com.

We are happy to receive your comments in our new "comment section"!

Why do we see so many unapproved and low-quality pilot ladders? The answer is invariably price. OK, we all like a bargain, but ...

0

Article Kiel Canal, Germany : Freighter rams Kiel lock gate on Sun 14th Mar 2021

by Frank Diegel - published on 14 March 2021

An accident occurred in the Kiel Canal lock at Kiel-Holtenau. A freighter crashed into the gate of the north chamber on Saturday. The Kiel Canal is the busiest man-made waterway in the world.

1

Article Pilot Tango: New pilotage provider in Denmark

published on 13 December 2022

Pilot Tango is a Danish State approved Pilot company providing pilotage through the Danish Strait – Route Tango (T)

1

Article Update on the Mumbai Maersk accident off Wangerooge (Germany)

published on 3 February 2022

High water is necessary for salvage - 1 p.m. is the earliest possible start for the next salvage attempt of the 400-metre-long vessel.

2

Video ALUSAFE 1620 PILOT

published on 13 December 2021

The Alusafe 1620 Pilot is a special designed Pilot Vessel. The vessel is designed for harsh weather in open seas as well as in sheltered waters with high marine traffic.

1