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.
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
Christian Tiedt was born in Hamburg in 1975, but grew up in the northern suburbs of the city - except for numerous visits to the harbor, North Sea and Baltic Sea, but without direct access to water sports for a long time. His first adventures then took place on dry land: With the classics from Chichester, Slocum and Co. After completing his vocational training, his studies finally gave him the opportunity (in terms of time) to get active on the water - and to obtain the relevant licenses. First with cruising and then, when he joined BOOTE in 2004, with motorboats of all kinds. In the meantime, Christian has been able to get to know almost all of Europe (and some more distant destinations) on his own keel and prefers to share his adventures and experiences as head of the travel department for YACHT and BOOTE in cruise reports.
