From 17 to 22 September 2026, the Große Seeschleuse in Emden will be closed to all vessel traffic. As a result, recreational craft may experience longer waiting times at the Nesserlander lock.
As part of the refurbishment of the Große Seeschleuse, it will be completely closed to shipping from 17 September 2026 at 07:00 until 22 September 2026 at 21:00. All vessels wishing to enter or leave Emden’s inland port must use the Nesserland Lock as an alternative during this period. This may result in longer waiting times for pleasure craft.
A century-old building is being made fit for the future
The lock connects Emden’s inland port with the outer harbour and, consequently, with the River Ems – making it the lifeline of the inland port. The closure is part of a comprehensive modernisation project for the ageing lock. It was built between 1907 and 1913 and has been a listed building since 1988. Measuring 260 metres in length and 40 metres in width, it was regarded as one of the largest maritime locks in the world upon its completion.
The modernisation work has been underway since the summer of 2024. As the work must largely be carried out whilst the lock remains in operation, the project will span ten years. The aim is to ensure the lock remains safe to operate for a further 35 years. Short-term full closures, such as the current one, form part of this refurbishment plan.
The Nesserlander Lock will remain in operation
As usual, the Nesserlander Lock is available for pleasure craft. It will remain open as normal to pleasure craft during the closure – with one restriction: if large seagoing vessels need to be locked through during the closure period, they take priority – they will not be locked through at the same time as pleasure craft. Recreational boaters should therefore allow for longer waiting times.
The following operating hours apply to recreational boating; these are coordinated with the opening times of the DB bascule bridge to the old inland port:
- From the inside to the outside: 07:15 · 09:15 · 11:15 · 13:15 · 15:15 · 17:15
- From the outside to the inside: 08:00 · 10:00 · 12:00 · 14:00 · 16:00 · 18:00
The time slots are fixed but not rigid: by sharing locks with commercial vessels, further opportunities to pass through may arise. However, if large seagoing vessels are given priority when passing through the locks, the waiting time for pleasure craft will be extended accordingly. If you want to be on the safe side, you should therefore allow plenty of time and not rely on the last slot of the day.
Contact details for the lock: Tel. 04921 / 897265, VHF channel 13.
DB bascule bridge has been refurbished
Anyone coming from the sea and wishing to enter Emden’s historic inland harbour (Ratsdelft) must, after passing through the lock, also cross the DB bascule bridge at Tonnenhof. The good news is that the bridge underwent extensive refurbishment this summer and has been fully operational again since August – it should therefore open more reliably than in previous years, when high temperatures repeatedly caused problems.
The lock operating times at the Nesserland Lock are scheduled so that boats can reach the next bridge opening in good time after passing through the lock. Anyone who misses this schedule – or who has had to wait longer because of a seagoing vessel with right of way – must wait for the next opening.
Contact details for the bascule bridge: Tel. 0152/33114944.
Ursula Meer
Redakteurin Panorama und Reise
