Kiel Canal: History and Importance for European Trade

The Kiel Canal is in Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein and is the busiest man-made waterway in the entire world. It extends from north Germany, connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, and spans across 61 miles or 98 Km. When we consider shipping routes between two seas across the globe, it is cheap, short, and one of the most convenient routes.

In this article, we are going to learn about the Kiel Canal in detail, including its importance, historical milestones and events.

Brief Glance into Kiel Canal

The following table will help you get a basic understanding of the Kiel Canal:

Feature	Description
Built in	Between 1887 to 1895
Route	Connects the North Sea with the Baltic Sea
Width	160 m or  526 feet
Depth	11 m or 37 feet
Clearance for Ships Under its Bridges	43 m or 140 feet
Dimension of its locks	45 cm

Among Northern Germany’s most important water, the Kiel Canal starts from the North Sea’s Brunbuttelkoog and ends at the Baltic Sea’s Kiel Harbour. Its construction took place from 1887 to 1895 and the canal served the needs of the German military back then. Ships did not find it necessary to travel north around peninsular Denmark or Jutland. Between 1907 to 1914, the Kiel Canal was enlarged to allow the passing of large navy ships.

Before World War 1, it was named the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, which was totally under the control of the Government of Germany. When the Treaty of Versailles was signed after the 1st World War ended, Kiel Canal saw new regulations. It left the canal under the administration of Germans and it had become international now. Mostly only police, sanitary, shopping, and customs regulations made up the traffic here. After World War II, there was freedom to navigate and the Kiez Canal became a top route, especially for Baltic shipping. 

Historical Milestones and Events

Kiel Canal is the busiest man-made waterway across the globe. More than 20,000 pleasure, and 40,000 merchant water vessels pass through it every year. The first idea to build a waterway was way back in the 7th Century through Schleswig-Holstein to help with trade. When Denmark’s ruler was Christian VII in 1784, the canal was first used to connect the North Sea with the Baltic Sea as a military and strategic concern. 

Expansion and Construction

Named as the Eider Canal at first, it was an artificial canal spanning 43 Km. and was a part of the 175 Km. long waterway starting from Kiel at Tonning to Schleswig-Holstein on the western coast. Earlier, the canal was just 3 meters deep and 29 meters wide, so vessels up to 300 tdw could use the route. Construction started in June 1887, and almost 9000 workers completed it in 8 years. Kaiser Wilhelm II opened the Kiel Canal officially in June 1895 and gave the name Kaiser Wilhelm Canal to the waterway.

• Birt Acres, a renowned director from Britain, filmed the canal’s grand opening. In London, the Science  Museum has preserved some footage from the canal’s early film.
• The SMS Jjagd was the first ship to pass through the Kiel Canal. It was sent in late April to basically check if the canal was ready for practical use now.

From 1907 to 1914, Germany widened the canal to meet the increased traffic load and fulfill the demands made by the Imperial German Navy. This let dreadnought battleships pass the Kiel Canal and travel from the Baltic to the North Sea without the need to visit Denmark. To enlarge the canal further, Holtenay and Brunsbuttel, two huge canal locks were added to it.

After the 1st World War

When the Treaty of Versailles was signed after World War I ended, the canal was let under administration. Commerce and war vessels and ships of any country that was peaceful with Germany were allowed to transport through the Kiel Canal. Adolf Hitler stopped international use of the canal in 1936 but it was opened again after World War II to traffic. The current name of Kiel Canal was set in 1948.

In March 2013, two lock gates stopped working near the Brunsbuttel western end and the canal was partially closed because of this. Vessels bigger than 120m had to travel through the Skagerrak detour. This condition was due to the low funding and negligence by the German Government and the country’s Federal Transport Ministry promised to make repairs quickly.

Kiel Canal – Importance of European Trade

When it comes to the commercial and trade sector, the most significant and main transport route in Europe is the Kiel Canal. Almost 3500 jobs are allotted here which helps with the development of ports, service companies, ship suppliers, agents, brokers, etc.

The posts in Germany and the canal are major gastronomy, trade, and tourism. When the Kiel Canal functions properly, it offers employment to more than 5 Lakh people. Therefore, the waterway is really important as it generates a high gross value and a nice tax income.

The following benefits highlight the canal’s economic importance for European Trade:

1. Shorter distance and transport times

As the Kiel Canal is a direct route, it helps ships bypass the difficult and dangerous journey to Denmark’s northern tip. As vessels avoid the longer detour route, it helps them save lots of time and effort, reducing the time of their transports.

2. Cost savings

As the Kiel Canal route is shorter, shipping companies save money through lower fuel consumption and reduced costs of operation. As a result, this allows for competitive pricing of other goods which makes the region a great place for trading worldwide.

3. Better commerce opportunities

The Kiel Canal sees different types of ships transport through it like container vessels, tankers, carriers, supporting a host of trade activities here. Brunsbuttel, Kiel, and other ports on the canal are popular cargo loading and unloading spots. This helps boost the number of commercial opportunities here. 

4. Managing supply chain and better logistics

As the Kiel Canal offers a safe and efficient transport path for ships, this leads to better logistics. Industries and businesses can manage their supply chain in the best manner possible. When the demand is high in the market, the canal allows for quick transportation of goods so that the supply chain keeps moving fast. 

5. Contribution to the local economy

The Kiel Canal boosts commercial opportunities and creates many jobs in the areas surrounding it. This helps develop the local economy and leads to higher traffic in the canal. As a result, many aggregate industries like support solutions, ship maintenance, etc. grow as well.

6. Geopolitical importance

It is of high importance geopolitically because it is one of the most important and most-used routes in the region. The canal has an influence on different trade dynamics globally and regional economic relationships. 

Kiel Canal – Current Operation

The Kiel Canal passage is easy to travel through at any time of the day, and a ship can start it as soon as it arrives here. Based on the traffic and time required to pass the Brunsbuttel and Holtenau locks, the transit goes on for almost 8 hours. The banks of the canal are home to plump cows, over 75 species of fish, dog walkers, cyclists, joggers, etc. 

• You will also see canal spotters, 14 ferries, car ferry stations, and hillsides featuring bridges, farmhouses, and towers to transmit electricity in the region.
• There are proper traffic rules to govern the movement of vessels here and every ship that passes through the canal comprises any one out of the six groups, depending on the dimensions.
• Blogger ships have to accept special helmsmen, pilots, or even tugboat assistance. Different laws guide the passing of ships coming into the canal. 

If there are any oncoming ships, then large vessels may need to moor at bollards present at intervals. For pleasure boats and ships, there are special rules applicable. Fixed, permanent bridges crossing the Kiel Canal have 42m of clearance. Vessels passing through the canal can have a maximum length of 235m, a maximum width of 32.5m, and draught up to 7m. To date, the Ever Leader bulker is the only cargo vessel that has almost approached these limits. 

Conclusion 

As we know now, the Kiel Canal is the busiest, artificial waterway in the world. The same number of ships passing through the Suez and Panama canals combined pass through Kiel. Since being first built between 1887 to 1895, the canal has seen several constructions and expansions to date.

The 98 km long canal extends from North Germany connecting the Baltic Sea with the Nordic Sea. After World War II, the canal opened to international maritime traffic and is one of the most vital routes when it comes to Baltic shipping. Also, the Kiel Canal has great economic importance for European trade and naval strategies in the region. 

FAQs on Kiel Canal

Which are the two seas connected by Kiel Canal?

The Kie Canal extends from north Germany, connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, and spans across 61 miles or 98 Km.

When was Kiel Canal built?

Construction of the canal started in June 1887, and almost 9000 workers completed it in 1895, taking almost 8 years.

What is the length of Kiel Canal?

The Kiel Canal, connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, is approximately 98 kilometers (61 miles) long.

Which two countries are connected by Kiel Canal?

The Kiel Canal connects Germany to itself, running from the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel-Holtenau, within the country of Germany.

What is the economic importance of Kiel Canal?

The Kiel Canal has a lot of economic importance as it offers shorter routes for vessels, impacts trade dynamics, boosts economic activities of the area, provides employment to thousands, and much more.

When was the current name of the Kiel Canal kept?

The current name Kiel Canal was officially kept in 1948 and it has been in use ever since.

What is Kiel Canal Disaster?

The Kiel Canal Disaster refers to several incidents that have occurred over the years, including ship collisions and sinkings, with no single event uniquely identified by this term.