The shipping platform

Location: The Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee Kanal), in Germany, cuts across the base of Schleswig-Holstein, linking the Baltic Sea with the North Sea. General overview: The canal is 99km in length, depth 11.0m, with 2 sets of locks at Holtenau and Brunsbuttel. Width varies between 102m and 214m. The canal is governed by detailed traffic rules. Each vessel using the canal is categorized into one of six traffic groups according to its dimensions. Larger ships are obliged to accept pilots and specialized canal helmsmen, in some cases even the assistance of a tugboat. Furthermore, there are regulations regarding the passing of oncoming ships. Larger ships may also be required to moor at the bollards provided at intervals along the canal to allow the passage of oncoming vessels. Special rules apply to pleasure craft.[10] All permanent, fixed bridges crossing the canal since its construction have a clearance of 42 m (138 ft). Maximum length for ships passing the Kiel Canal is 235.50 m (772.6 ft), with the maximum width (beam) of 32.50 m (106.6 ft); these ships can have a draught of up to 7.00 m (22.97 ft). Ships up to a length of 160.00 m (524.93 ft) may have a draught up to 9.50 m (31.2 ft). The bulker Ever Leader (deadweight 74001 t) is considered to be the cargo ship that to date has come closest to the overall limits. There are several shipyards on the Kiel Canal, at Rendsburg and Schacht-Audorf. There is also a large shipyard at the port of Kiel. Numerous smaller shipyards are located in the west and east of the Kiel Fjord. Compared to the longer shipping route around Skagen, the average passage through the canal is around 260 nautical miles (around 480 kilometres) shorter; this reduces the required time for a common sea-going ship by around 16 hours. For transport operations from the German North Sea ports, time savings are even higher (up to 350 nautical miles/around 650 kilometres). However, the shorter route not only saves time but also reduces the ships’ fuel costs while enabling higher turn-round times between the North Sea and Baltic Sea ports. Travel time through the canal, including negotiating the locks, approx 7-8 hours. Dimensions of the locks: Length: 330 m, width: 45 m, depth: 13 m. Traffic figures: Approx 41,470 vessels and 95,800,000t of cargo transit the canal annually. 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 Seaside: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: LOA: 235 m, beam: 32.5 m, max draught for transit is 9.5 m according to length and beam. Max air draught is 42 m. The largest vessel handled: "Ocean Thistle",LOA: 235 m, beam: 34.5 m, 34,534 DWT.