Following the allision earlier this month, German authorities have appointed a firm to remove the partially destroyed lock-gate at Kiel-Holtenau in order to be repaired.
The goal is to remove the damaged gate from the passage and install the spare gate in an effort to resume vessel traffic, WSA Kiel-Holtenau said in a statement. Only one lock chamber is currently operational at Kiel-Holtenau, resulting in long waiting times for ships.
However, it has not been decided how to recover the damaged gate . It could be recovered in one or more pieces, according to WSA Kiel-Holtenau.
This will be decided after preserved parts are separated from the loose ones so that the gate can undergo repair works. The dismantling is expected to start on February 27. The loose parts will be moved onto a pontoon which already arrived at the site.
As explained, the decision on how to remove the gate will depend on an analysis to be undertaken by engineers and divers in order to examine its stability.
The damage occurred on February 19 when the 1,008 TEU Akacia rammed into the gate as it was unable to slow down in time. Two days later, the ship was brought to Kiel’s Nordhafen where it is still moored due to sailing prohibition.
World Maritime News Staff