Although the repairs to the Donnerschleuse lock at kilometre 20.7 of the federal waterway in the south of Schleswig-Holstein have been completed, additional routine work during ongoing operations is still on the agenda. This also applies to the nearby Berkenthin lock at kilometre 13.3 on the Elbe-Lübeck Canal.
Further work, but only at off-peak times
Only short interruptions to operations are planned for this work in the mornings and evenings, namely from 6 am to 8 am and from 4 pm to 8.30 pm, from 2 to 5 June 2025. The corresponding notification from the Elbe Waterways and Shipping Authority for Inland Navigation (NfB) can be found here here. The WSA is responsible for the Elbe-Lübeck Canal.
Although the connection between Lauenburg on the Elbe and the Untertrave in Lübeck has only just been reopened, the planned short-term closures are necessary. The canal was previously closed for almost eight months due to extensive damage to the chamber floor of the Donnerschleuse lock, which was discovered during a routine inspection. Extensive renovation work had been delayed again and againwhich led to the long-lasting closure of the Elbe-Lübeck Canal.
Elbe-Lübeck Canal: alternative route to the Baltic Sea
According to the Chamber of Commerce in Lübeck, the failure of the canal led to economic losses running into millions for a number of industries in the region. In the meantime, transport had to be carried out by lorry. Recreational shipping was also affected during the start of the season.
With a clearance height of 4.60 metres and a water depth of two metres, the Elbe-Lübeck Canal (ELK) between Lauenburg and Lübeck Although it is not an option for yachts with a large draught and a standing mast, it offers a convenient alternative to the Kiel Canal when the mast is lowered. The town of Mölln is a popular stopover.
