Kiel Canal: distances and routes
The Kiel Canal joins the North Sea and the Baltic across northern Germany, the shortcut for feeders between Hamburg, Rotterdam and the Baltic ports.
Through Kiel or round Denmark
Without the canal, ships between the North Sea and the Baltic sail round the Skaw at the tip of Denmark and through the Danish straits. The canal cuts that passage short, saving roughly a day or more for a feeder between Hamburg and the Baltic ports.
Transit time
A full transit of the canal takes around 8 to 10 hours. The Container Voyage Estimator adds it to the leg.
Kiel Canal dues in your voyage cost
The estimator prices the canal dues, pilotage and canal helmsmen of the transit for your vessel's size and adds them to the voyage cost.
See also
Kiel Canal, answered.
How long is the Kiel Canal?
About 98 kilometres (53 nautical miles), from Brunsbuettel on the Elbe to Kiel-Holtenau on the Baltic.
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