Multiple Vessel Incidents Reported in Kiel Canal, Germany

Several maritime incidents involving cargo vessels took place along Germany’s Kiel Canal on April 10, occurring within just a few hours. No injuries or environmental damage were reported.

The first event happened at 4:34 p.m. local time, when the Cyprus-flagged cargo ship Aguimes lost power near Schirnau, reportedly due to engine trouble. The vessel was later towed and brought to Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, where it remained secured.

At approximately 5:14 p.m., the Netherlands-flagged general cargo vessel Berkborg, sailing from Szczecin, Poland to Delfzijl in the Netherlands, struck the guide wall while entering the new North Lock at Brunsbüttel after completing its canal transit. Despite the incident, the vessel continued its journey and reached Delfzijl on April 11.

Just two minutes later, at 5:16 p.m., another Netherlands-flagged cargo ship, Lindeborg, collided with several mooring dolphins in the outer harbor near Pier 2 while approaching from the Elbe River after departing Harlingen. The vessel was temporarily prohibited from sailing but was later cleared to continue following an investigation. It is now expected to arrive in Hamina, Finland, by April 15.

Later that evening, at 7:06 p.m., the Belgium-flagged cargo vessel Fast Anna Sofia, en route from Antwerp to Szczecin, ran aground on the southern bank near Oldenbüttel after experiencing engine failure. The ship came to rest across the fairway before being refloated, towed, and taken to Nord-Ostsee-Kanal. It departed again on April 11 and arrived in Szczecin the following day.