Germany Kiel Canal collision
Germany’s Kiel Canal was in the most part re-open four days after the collision between two freighters on 31 October – but the German water police have opened investigations into what caused the incident.
The St Vincent & Grenadines flagged Siderfly was carrying fertiliser to Antwerp when it collided with the Coral Ivory, a Dutch flagged carrier bound for Finland on 28 October. Siderfly was reportedly punctured in two places but the crew from both vessels escaped unharmed.
Kiel is the world’s busiest man-made waterway. When it is closed ships have to be re-routed around Denmark’s Rutland Peninsula – which adds 250 nautical miles to a journey.
Salvage operations including diver surveys and pumping water closed the canal again near the incident area at Brunsbuettel on 4 and 5 November.
The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (Havariekommando) co-ordinated and monitored the salvage operation conducted by T&T Salvage, which included salvage of cargo and stabilising the vessel.
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