Collision on Kiel Canal Involves Two Vessels
In the early hours of February 28, 2026, at approximately 3:25 a.m., a serious collision occurred on the Kiel Canal near Brunsbüttel. The incident involved the cargo ship ‘Scheldebank’, which was en route to Turku, and the ‘Sea Explorer’, heading toward Misrata. Both vessels collided in the vicinity of the Dückerswisch passing place, a narrow stretch of the canal.
As the ‘Scheldebank‘ approached the passing area, it reportedly lost control for reasons still under investigation. The ship came to a standstill across the canal, blocking navigation. The ‘Sea Explorer’, traveling westward toward the Brunsbüttel lock, attempted to avoid the collision by executing a full reverse maneuver. However, the effort was unsuccessful, resulting in the bow of the westbound vessel striking the port stern of the eastbound ‘Scheldebank’. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the crew members of either vessel.
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene and confirmed there was no water ingress or fuel leakage from either ship, preventing any potential environmental hazards. In response to the incident, the local water police have commenced an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Additionally, the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Transport Sector (BG Verkehr) has mandated both vessels to halt navigation until further assessments are completed.
