On 1 February the containership Bernhard Schepers, en route from Bremerhaven, Germany, to Kotka, Finland, was involved in an allision with the central tail and gate niche of the new north lock of the Kiel Canal, Germany.
The incident occurred while the vessel was navigating eastbound through the waterway in dense fog. Following the allision, the Bernhard Schepers remained berthed at the lock chamber. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries, damage to the vessel, or pollution. However, the lock gate itself sustained damage rendering it inoperable.
Furthermore, divers were immediately deployed the same day to clear obstructions allowing the lock gate to be closed and balanced. This enabled the vessel to resume its voyage to its destination.
The new northern lock of the Kiel Canal remained closed to ship traffic but was to be reopened by 3 February. Authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage and plan necessary repairs.