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Construction of the fifth lock chamber in Brunsbüttel: Progress despite hurdles!
Find out current information on the progress of the fifth lock chamber in Brunsbüttel, Dithmarschen, and its importance for shipping.
Construction of the fifth lock chamber in Brunsbüttel: Progress despite hurdles!
In Brunsbüttel, right on the Kiel Canal, things are going well at the moment: the construction of the fifth lock chamber, which has been underway since 2014, is making rapid progress again after initial difficulties. Loud NDR The current construction progress shows that the project is well on schedule and completion is still targeted for the end of 2026. This will not only relieve pressure on the large locks that have been in use since 1914, but also enable longer maintenance measures.
Particularly impressive is the use of Germany's strongest floating crane, which currently has to master the challenge of pulling piles sunk deep in the water. The water level in the lock was also raised to 0.5 meters below sea level to support this work. Currently only one of the two large lock chambers is in operation, while the other has been shut down since May due to planned maintenance work. At the same time, a damaged lock gate that was affected in a collision has already been replaced and is back in operation.
Current developments
How WNA reports, the first sliding gate for the new lock chamber is expected as early as autumn 2025. The current construction activities that took place from April to June 2025 are documented in information letter No. 36. The construction history shows that progress was driven forward in 2025 by the almost complete completion of the sliding gates, increasing anticipation of the final completion of the new lock chamber.
Such developments are of great importance for international freight transport. With its 7,476 kilometers of inland waterways, the Kiel Canal is one of the most important waterways in Germany. Around 4,800 kilometers of the federal waterway network are crucial for international freight transport within Europe, such as Shipping Association highlights.
A future for shipping
The importance of lock technology for our inland waterways cannot be overestimated. The new lock chamber in Brunsbüttel will not only increase the efficiency of shipping, but also help to optimize the maintenance of the existing infrastructure. With a total of 450 lock chambers and 290 weirs in the federal waterway network, the development in Brunsbüttel is a crucial piece of the puzzle in Germany's large shipping network.
The work on the canal and the planned commissioning of the new lock chamber are therefore of great importance not only for the Brunsbüttel region, but for the entire shipping industry. We hope that everyone involved can continue to adhere to the schedule and that the new systems will be put into operation soon.