One Canal lock re-opens for big ship business

Canal authorities said the main 310m long and 42m wide South Lock had been re-opened to ships of more than 125m in length. Those ships have been unable to use the Canal and have had to sail the 460 extra kms through the Skagerrak Strait since damage earlier this month closed the two main locks and a small one. A single small lock has been used since then for ships up to 125m.

Canal officials said the re-opening of one main lock had been made possible by swapping re-usable gate facilities from the other lock and carrying out temporary repairs, thus creating one workable lock from two unusable ones. Repairs reportedly continue on the other damaged facilities and officials have said full main lock service could be restored by Easter.

German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer has meanwhile rejected criticism the current government ignored calls for lock and Canal improvements. He blamed the previous government for the current plight of the 100 year old Canal – the busiest man-made waterway in the world – and said years of neglect could not now be solved overnight. He announced the creation of a special Canal action group to speed up progress .

He also said bids would be invited next month for construction of the planned Fifth Lock in Brunsbuettel with the contract awarded and work starting next year. But however swiftly building gets underway it will be 2020 before the new lock is complete and Ramsauer acknowledged there will be further closures of the existing deteriorating locks before that happens and before they can be properly renovated.