BRUNSBÜTTEL (dpa-AFX) - The Kiel Canal is expected to remain closed to shipping throughout Friday. The duration of the oil fight depends, among other things, on the weather situation, the head of the Havariekommando, Robby Renner, announced on Thursday evening. A particular challenge is the wind, which according to the forecast should turn in the course of Friday in the meantime.
The Kiel Canal Waterways and Shipping Authority, which issues the clearance for navigation, currently assumes a closure until at least Saturday 12 noon, Renner said.
The waterway had been closed on Wednesday after large quantities of oil had leaked due to a leak in a pipeline in the port of Brunsbüttel. The Havariekommando had signaled on Thursday that the canal could be opened to traffic on Friday afternoon at the earliest. The oil-fighting work had progressed well on the canal and on the shore. Three special ships were also deployed.
It initially remained unclear why the leak in the pipeline had occurred. The police are investigating the matter. The canal between Kiel on the Baltic Sea and Brunsbüttel (Dithmarschen district) at the mouth of the Elbe into the North Sea is the world's busiest artificial seawater route./wsz/DP/zb
