Shortly after it was put into operation, the NOK proved to be too small. By 1900, canal traffic had already exceeded the originally estimated maximum traffic volume with over 30,000 passages. This, and ultimately the benefits for the ever-growing Imperial Navy, war navy were the reason
why the first expansion of the North Sea-Baltic Canal was decided upon as early as 1907.
From 1907 to 1914, it was therefore widened from 67 to 102.5 meters and deepened from nine to eleven meters. In Brunsbüttel and Holtenau, the largest lock systems in the world at that time were built. In addition, the tracks were renewed and three new high bridges (Hochdonn, Rendsburg, and Holtenau) were built.
Even after the first expansion, construction on the canal continued. A planned second expansion in case of war, which then broke out in 1939, was started but never completed.
Since 1945, the Kiel Canal has been used almost exclusively for civilian purposes.
Fairly However, due to the increasingly larger merchant ships over the decades, passage became increasingly difficult. In addition, there were blockages throughout the entire NOK. Therefore, in 1960, the so-called “North Sea-Baltic Canal Safety Program” was established.
Over the following four decades, the banks were moved back over a total length of 88 km and the water level was widened to 162 m. The bed was widened from 44 to 90 m.
On the nearly 11 km stretch between Sehestedt and Kiel-Holtenau, no safety measures were necessary due to the favorable building ground.
However, this section has since become a “bottleneck” for shipping traffic.
The plan is to Plans are in place to widen the canal in the area of the eastern route and to flatten the tight curves. A subsequent adjustment of the water depth is also being considered.
Top image: Canal expansion in 1914
Bottom image: Graphic – original cross-section and expansions of the NOK