Kiel Canal is now open again, after an oil spill had forced it to close just before Christmas, as the German authorities reported.
According to DW, an oil spill from a pipeline near Brunsbüttel port in Germany’s northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, forced shut the canal.
Upon discovery of the oil spill, clean-up vessels began operations, but unfriendly weather, particularly the wind, were set to complicate.
Due to the close of the canal, around 30 ships were blocked from passing through the canal.
As Robby Renner, who was heading emergency operations, said, at the time it was unclear how much oil in total has leaked from the pipeline and who much has possibly seeped into the ground.
He also added that the spill was a carpet of oil that has spread over 6 kilometers.
Officials decided to close the canal in an effort to protect the seas from contamination.
Some 100 fire personnel and volunteers are also assisting with removing contaminated surfaces on the shore.
Now, the latest information reports that the attempts of the relevant authorities to clean the spill have been successful, and as a result the Kiel Canal is back for business as usual.
