Abysmal Numbers Unveiled for North Baltic Shipwater Channel Construction
The Dip in Ships Passing Through Kiel Canal
The canal authorities aren't smiling about the figures lately. For the first time since 1945, less than 25,000 vessels have traversed the Kiel Canal last year - a significant decline from the past.
The gravitas of the situation is evident as the General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) is taking an unusually long time to present the annual balance. Typically, it's announced in mid-January or early February, but this year, it's expected in late February.
Jens-Broder Knudsen, chair of the Initiative Kiel Canal, a lobbying entity, expresses concern about the situation. Shipbrokers, Sartori & Berger and UCA United Canal Agency, have reported a decrease of up to ten percent in the number of ships passing through.
Slower Speed, Slower Progress
Although 2024 might go down in history as one of the canal's weakest years, there's a glimmer of hope. The planned expansion of the canal, if completed, could lift the speed limit, making the canal more appealing to shipowners once again.
Since July 1, 2023, a speed reduction from 15 to 12 km/h has been in effect for all ships due to construction work to protect the eroded banks. Fortunately, repairs are progressing well. However, a three-month closure of a lock chamber in Brunsbüttel starting from May is imminent for rail replacement works for the trolleys. "These closures aren't easy, but they're crucial," Knudsen says.
A Long-term Decline
The number of ships at the Kiel Canal has been dwindling for over a decade. In 2014, there were still 32,600 ships. Knudsen attributes this to ships getting smaller in the middle. This middle ship is significant as it determines the pilotage fees for the approximately 300 canal pilots.
David-Christopher Müller, second senior of the NOKII pilotage association from Kiel, echoes similar sentiments. Despite the dip, there's still a silver lining. "If the canal passage becomes predictable again, it'll look different," Müller says. He believes that predictability is a critical deciding factor for ship owners.
Meanwhile, the awaited presentation of all traffic data for the canal is anticipated with bated breath. Apart from the number of ships, the quantities of goods transported and the size of the ships are important parameters. It seems that there are also significant decreases here. The traffic statistics are still under analysis by the GDWS.
The reasons behind the decline in ship traffic are manifold: technological advancements, economic and geopolitical factors, environmental and regulatory changes, infrastructural issues, and competition from other routes. A comprehensive analysis would require specific long-term data or detailed statistics on the Kiel Canal's traffic decline over ten years.
The decline in ships passing through the Kiel Canal isn't restricted to last year, as the number of vessels has been decreasing for over a decade now. This downward trend in the shipping industry could potentially impact sports events, such as sailing regattas, that are regularly hosted on the canal.
As the planned expansion of the Kiel Canal could lift the speed limit, making the canal more appealing to shipowners, there might be a resurgence in sports events once the expansion is completed and the speed limit is increased. However, the current speed reduction and lock chamber closures for repairs could postpone or affect these events in the short term.
