Travel

Germany

- According to recent measurements, there are 15–16 million m³ of sludge in the Steinhuder Meer, around 1–1.5 million m³ more than in 2019.  
- Between 52,000 and 64,000 m³ of new silt is produced each year, but only 30,000–40,000 m³ has been removed so far; the lake development plan focuses on more dredging and reduced nutrient levels.  
- The VESM is calling for significantly more intensive dredging and additional storage areas, as otherwise sailing conditions and fair regattas will be jeopardised.

Steinhuder Meer: 1.5 million cubic metres more sludge

- The state has definitively halted the ‘Missunde III’ project following setbacks and a rise in costs to around 6.5 million euros
- “Missunde II” is due to enter the shipyard after the summer season and is set to take over ferry services; planning for a possible new ferry begins
- The Ministry of Transport is examining claims for damages against the design firm; the Schlei crossing is used by 120,000 vehicles and 50,000 bicycles annually

‘Missunde III’ has failed: the state pulls the emergency brake and plans a fresh start

- Neufeld Harbour is expected to be available for limited use only until the end of April 2027 due to work to reinforce the base of the dyke; the cost is around two million euros.
- The local council is investing around 700,000 euros in new floating jetties and bridges; it is unclear whether this sum will be sufficient for the project.
- Despite the loss of some moorings, berths for visiting boats remain available; more moorings and modern infrastructure are planned for after 2027.

Dithmarschen: Construction work at Neufeld Harbour

- Historically low water levels on the Rhine, the Danube and other waterways are leading to massive restrictions on shipping early in the year.  
- The economic consequences are significant; the waterway network is regarded as an infrastructure that is virtually irreplaceable for freight transport; Bilger calls for a crisis meeting.  
- The new official NIWIS portal displays colour-coded, up-to-date low-water data for over 300 waterways, based on long-term measurement series and threshold values.

Germany: NIWIS – a new information portal for low water levels

- A 65-year-old woman fell overboard during a storm on Lake Constance and was recovered dead the following day off Langenargen.  
- Around 200 emergency personnel from Germany, Austria and Switzerland searched for the missing woman; the search was suspended in the evening.  
- The Lake Constance warning system, featuring orange storm lights and advice on what to do, is designed to protect people from rapidly approaching thunderstorms and strong winds.

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance: 65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

- Extremely low water levels in the Rhine have left the access routes and jetties of many water sports clubs high and dry; around half of the gauging stations are reporting record lows.  
- Due to the low water levels, commercial shipping can only operate at up to a quarter of its capacity; the economic damage is already considered to be immense.  
- Research institutes expect GDP growth to be 0.1–0.4 per cent lower; the federal and state governments are holding crisis meetings to discuss measures and the Rhine Low Water Action Plan.

The Rhine: Record low water levels – crisis meeting in Bonn

- The German Navy continues to conduct firing exercises with gun armaments and torpedoes in Kiel Bay, Arkona and Pomeranian Bay.  
- These areas remain open to shipping; firing will only take place when the firing zone is clear, and main shipping lanes will not be targeted.  
- Vessels will display signal ‘NE4’ and use the prescribed lights; white flares will be fired if there is a risk from nearby targets.

Training areas: Navy conducts live-fire exercises in Kiel Bay and off the coast of Rügen

- Work is taking place on the high-voltage power lines over the Schlei near Rabelsund, with temporary closures in effect until 12 August 2026.  
- Scheduled closure times: 5 August, 08:00–12:00, 6, 10, 11 and 12 August, 08:00–17:00 on each day; passage is only possible during breaks in the closures.  
- Skippers must follow the supervisory vessels; waiting times and last-minute changes to the closure times are possible.

Closure on the Schlei: WSA announces construction work near Rabelsund

- YACHT 17/2026, featuring: Boris Herrmann’s new IMOCA ‘Malizia 4’, a report on East Greenland and 200 years of Cowes Week.
- Tests and boating topics: Stem 50, Fisher motor-sailer meet-up, Grand Soleil Plus 80 LC, and new models from NYX Yachts and Oyster.
- Practical advice and round-up: a guide to lithium batteries, seven special Baltic Sea destinations, news on the ‘Gorch Fock’, regatta racing and the latest in equipment.

YACHT 17/2026: Malizia 4, Greenland and Cowes Week

- Heat and low water levels are fuelling massive proliferation of the invasive waterweed, blocking inland waterways from the Ruhr to the Rhine.
- Dense mats of weed are rendering boats unable to manoeuvre, paralysing harbours and forcing clubs to cancel training sessions and regattas.
- Weeding boats are expensive and in short supply, and the cut vegetation encourages new growth; in many places, manual labour is the only option, with an improvement not expected until the end of August.

Waterweed: Inland waterways facing a complete standstill

- The risk of vibrio infection in the Baltic Sea and the Bodden increases at temperatures above 20 °C; healthy people are generally at low risk, whilst at-risk groups include the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
- Infection occurs mainly via tiny wounds or contaminated seafood; possible consequences: sepsis, organ failure, fatal outcome.
- Protection: avoid/cover wounds, check water quality, shower after swimming, practise careful wound care; AI-powered drones are to be used to predict local risks.

The Baltic Sea: How dangerous are vibrio bacteria?

- Heligoland’s South Harbour is being rebuilt to accommodate longer multi-purpose vessels operated by the federal government, including the extension of the breakwater and the deepening of the harbour basin.  
- Work on the southern breakwater is due to start in spring 2027 and, according to the Waterways and Shipping Authority, is expected to cost tens of millions.  
- Prior to and during construction: a survey for unexploded ordnance in the harbour, and increasing restrictions on recreational craft due to offshore operations and construction work.

Heligoland: Refurbishment of the South Harbour for specialised vessels

Germany's most beautiful sailing areas by yacht: Important tips for travelling and chartering sailing boats in Germany ►

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

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Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

Steinhuder Meer
1.5 million cubic metres more sludge

‘Missunde III’ has failed
The state pulls the emergency brake and plans a fresh start

Dithmarschen
Construction work at Neufeld Harbour

Germany
NIWIS – a new information portal for low water levels

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance
65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

The Rhine
Record low water levels – crisis meeting in Bonn

Training areas
Navy conducts live-fire exercises in Kiel Bay and off the coast of Rügen

Closure on the Schlei
WSA announces construction work near Rabelsund

YACHT 17/2026
Malizia 4, Greenland and Cowes Week

Waterweed
Inland waterways facing a complete standstill

The Baltic Sea
How dangerous are vibrio bacteria?

Heligoland
Refurbishment of the South Harbour for specialised vessels

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

Steinhuder Meer1.5 million cubic metres more sludge

‘Missunde III’ has failedThe state pulls the emergency brake and plans a fresh start

DithmarschenConstruction work at Neufeld Harbour

GermanyNIWIS – a new information portal for low water levels

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

The RhineRecord low water levels – crisis meeting in Bonn

Training areasNavy conducts live-fire exercises in Kiel Bay and off the coast of Rügen

Closure on the SchleiWSA announces construction work near Rabelsund

YACHT 17/2026Malizia 4, Greenland and Cowes Week

WaterweedInland waterways facing a complete standstill

The Baltic SeaHow dangerous are vibrio bacteria?

HeligolandRefurbishment of the South Harbour for specialised vessels

Steinhuder Meer
1.5 million cubic metres more sludge

‘Missunde III’ has failed
The state pulls the emergency brake and plans a fresh start

Dithmarschen
Construction work at Neufeld Harbour

Germany
NIWIS – a new information portal for low water levels

Thunderstorm on Lake Constance
65-year-old woman falls overboard and dies

The Rhine
Record low water levels – crisis meeting in Bonn

Training areas
Navy conducts live-fire exercises in Kiel Bay and off the coast of Rügen

Closure on the Schlei
WSA announces construction work near Rabelsund

YACHT 17/2026
Malizia 4, Greenland and Cowes Week

Waterweed
Inland waterways facing a complete standstill

The Baltic Sea
How dangerous are vibrio bacteria?

Heligoland
Refurbishment of the South Harbour for specialised vessels