Financial consequences of crises deeply etched on North Baltic Canal's accounts balance
In the final stretch of December, the Kiel Canal managed to maintain its lead over the previous year's numbers, but it all came crashing down when a pipeline exploded in Brunsbüttel. The resulting oil spill flooded the waterways, causing a two-week lockdown right as the New Year rolled in. The General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping released the grim aftermath in their balancingsheets, stating that traffic and handling figures took a significant hit.
The canal saw 26,882 vessels pass through in 2022, a stark 411 less than the previous year, and handled a total of 82.25 million metric tonnes, around 2.9 million tonnes less than in 2021. The canal had managed to successfully navigate the challenges posed by the Ukraine war and escalating fuel prices until the pipeline incident occurred.
The temporary shutdown left an indelible mark on the balance sheets, with the organization stating that "it could have been a great year for the canal if it hadn't been for the closure." Jens-Broder Knudsen, Chairman of the Kiel-Canal initiative, echoed those sentiments, "the pipeline burst was like a wrecking ball that derailed an otherwise promising year."
Over 300 tonnes of crude oil flowed into the canal between December 16-21, 2022, forcing the authorities to order a full closure to combat the pollution. The precise details of the pipeline burst and its effects on the Kiel Canal remained largely unknown, as sources were scarce on the subject.
Sources:- Kieler Nachrichten, 27.01.2023 [link]- Various news sources, discussions on LNG terminal projects, gas imports, pipeline operations, and related maritime incidents. [additional links provided]
The pipeline incident in Brunsbüttel, resulting in an oil spill, significantly impacted the Kiel Canal's performance in environmental-science and energy sectors, causing a decrease in the number of vessels passing through and a drop in the total handled tonnage in 2022. The financial consequences of this incident were acknowledged by the General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping and the Kiel-Canal initiative, as they collectively lamented the closure's effect on the potential for a prosperous year. The spill, containing over 300 tonnes of crude oil, also raised questions and concerns about the safety of the industry's pipeline operations.
