The Elbe-North Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority has announced in a recent Notices to Mariners Fallen trees in the Eider’s fairway at kilometre 31. Where possible, vessels should avoid navigating this section of the fairway. Vessel operators are asked to exercise increased caution.
Malfunction of the Pahlen bascule bridge
In a further update this morning, the WSA briefly announced that the Pahlhude road bridge near Eider at kilometre 46 was once again out of service until further notice due to a technical fault. Vessels can currently only pass through when the bridge is closed, subject to a clearance height of 3.50 metres. However, just a few hours later, the all-clear was given: the bridge over the Eider is back in operation.
In the past, the ageing bascule bridge had already been out of service on several occasions due to technical faults. It was only in March that the successful repair was announced, following a series of tests which had necessitated repeated closures. The Schleswig-Holstein State Road Construction and Transport Authority (LBV.SH) is planning a complete refurbishment of the bridge from 2027 onwards. Road and waterway users must then expect significant disruption. The State Agency for Road Construction and Transport (LBV.SH) has yet to clarify, in consultation with the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, for how many months the bridge crossing will be out of service.
Closures on the Kiel Canal
You may also be interested to know that recreational boaters planning to use the Kiel Canal in July should be prepared for restrictions. The canal will be completely closed in mid-July. You can find more information here:
You might also like to read our travel feature on the River Eider: Through Schleswig-Holstein, past historic trading towns towards the Wadden Sea on the west coast:
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
