damage to the reputation of the North Baltic Canal escalates amidst hardship!
The maritime industry in northern Germany is bracing for potential disruptions as news of a possible Verdi strike circulates. If the strike goes ahead, it could cause significant delays and added costs in shipping traffic through the Kiel Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the North Sea with the Baltic Sea.
According to reports, the strike is expected to specifically target the traffic control center on the central island of the large locks in Brunsbüttel, a vital hub for the Kiel Canal. This could potentially paralyse entire industrial sectors in Brunsbüttel, reminiscent of conditions seen in France, as stated by Jens Broder Knudsen, chairman of the Kiel Canal Initiative.
The strike, if it occurs, is anticipated to last from Tuesday morning to Thursday evening next week, affecting traffic for almost four days. This could lead to enormous cost increases for shipping, as noted by Knudsen. The ports of Rendsburg and Brunsbüttel are also expected to be impacted by the strike.
Construction sites and the closure of a lock chamber in Brunsbüttel in May have already been reducing the attractiveness of the waterway. Additionally, the feeder lines of container shipping companies may lose several days on their journey to the large ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven due to the strike.
However, it is important to note that no direct information has been found about a current Verdi strike affecting Kiel Canal traffic. To get the latest and most detailed status, it is recommended to check official port authority communications for the Kiel Canal, local news in northern Germany, or Verdi’s announcements directly.
The Kiel Canal is currently experiencing its biggest crisis, with traffic figures having been in free fall since last summer. The speed of ships in the canal is reduced from 15 to 12 kilometers per hour, further exacerbating the issue.
Verdi is a major German trade union representing workers in public services, including transport and logistics. When Verdi organizes strikes at ports or in logistics sectors, it typically causes significant delays in loading, unloading, and overall port operations. This can impact shipping traffic through important waterways such as the Kiel Canal, leading to congestion, waiting times for vessels, and potential rerouting depending on the strike’s scale.
Shipping companies and captains of ships planning to pass through the Kiel Canal next week have been warned to prepare for potential disruptions. The news of the planned strike was circulating in the "lock radio" in Kiel on Friday morning. As of now, the traffic figures for 2024 have not yet been published by the responsible General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping.
In summary, while no direct information about a current Verdi strike affecting Kiel Canal traffic has been found, the potential disruptions could lead to significant delays and added costs in shipping traffic. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to follow official communications from the port authorities, local news, and Verdi directly.
Despite the current focus on potential disruptions to the maritime industry in northern Germany due to a possible Verdi strike, the crisis at the Kiel Canal seems to be multifaceted. This very strike, if it occurs, might not only impact the maritime industry but also other sectors in Brunsbüttel, potentially paralyzing them, as reported. and If the strike goes ahead as anticipated, it could cause shipping companies and ports like Rendsburg and Brunsbüttel significant delays and cost increases, as highlighted by Jens Broder Knudsen, chairman of the Kiel Canal Initiative.
