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Freighter reached port of destination, still waiting times in Brunsbüttel
The 'Madicken' left the port of Brunsbüttel on Jan 4 and arrived in Klaipeda on Jan 7. Due to the damaged lock gate of the northern lock in Brunsbüttek, which was badly dented in the allision with the freighter, there are currently longer waiting times of up to six hours on the Kiel Canal. The lock gate can continue to be used provisionally, at least at low water levels: In principle, everything works perfectly: the rails, the wheels. However, pipes have been damaged and the pressure may be so high during the flood tides that these pipes could break. The damaged lock gate cannot be replaced until spring. The two existing reserve gates are currently at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel for a general overhaul. A replacement would also lead to a temporary closure of the lock chamber for at least 14 days.
Restrictions manageable after allision
After an inspection by experts from the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) on the afternoon of Jan 2, the large northern lock can still be used at low water. The restrictions on shipping remain limited thus. The authority has also waived the requirement to use a tug. But the repair work will be complex. The damaged gate must be removed for repairs. The replacement gate is still at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel and will not be ready until spring. The replacement will then take 14 day. According to initial findings, the 'Madicken' only suffered minor damage to the bow above the waterline. It remained stationary in Brunsbüttel as of Jan 4.
Allision in Brunsbüttel
On Jan 2, 2024, at 12.26 a.m. the ' Madicken', en route from Hamburg to Klaipeda, allided with a lock gate of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel. This caused significant damage to the gate, meaning that it will no longer be usable for an indefinite period of time. The vessel was the second ship to enter the large northern chamber, coming from the Elbe, when an engine failure occurred and the ship drove into the closed inner gate despite immediate countermeasures being taken. The impact dented the gate about two meters deep over a width of about 8 to 10 meters, so it can no longer be used. The freighter only suffered minor damage to the stem. The second ship, which had already been moored to the central wall, remained undamaged. The extent to which the anchor, which was lowered into the water as a countermeasure, caused damage to the bottom of the lock chamber, is currently unknown. The transport trade association was informed and issued a sailing ban on the ship in Brunsbüttel until the classification society confirmed that it was seaworthy. The ship will remain in the lock chamber for the time being. The investigation is ongoing. At 5 p.m. two tugs pulled the 'Madicken' out of the lock towards the sailing ship pilings in Brunsbüttel. As it turned out that the lock could still be used at low tide, the 'Northern Spirit' left the oil port and was the first ship to pass again. Report with photo: https://www.mopo.de/im-norden/schleswig-holstein/frachtschiff-rammt-schleusentor-erheblicher-sachschaden/ https://www.msn.com/de-de/nachrichten/panorama/nok-schleusenkammer-nach-havarie-wieder-benutzbar/ar-AA1wPzo0
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