Engine Failure Forces Cargo Ship Frederick to Block Canal

The cargo ship Frederick temporarily blocked a section of the Kiel Canal after experiencing engine failure on March 27. After several days of unsuccessful onboard repair attempts, the vessel was towed to Kiel’s East Shore for a detailed assessment. 

The incident occurred around 10:30 PM local time during Frederick’s voyage from Hamburg to Klaipeda via the Kiel Canal. The engine issue has been linked to a malfunction in the vessel’s electronic systems. 

Following the failure, the ship drifted off its intended path and ended up obstructing the waterway near the Fischerhütte switch. As a result, traffic through the canal was halted for several hours. 

Two tugboats, Fairplay-54 and Fairplay-57, were dispatched from Brunsbüttel to stabilize and assist the immobilized vessel. 

Despite multiple efforts to restore functionality, the ship remained inoperable. On March 29, tugboats Stein and OSK Rendsburg towed Frederick to Kiel’s East Shore, where it will undergo a more in-depth inspection. 

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, repairs will be carried out. If the vessel cannot be restored promptly, its cargo may need to be offloaded and transferred to another ship.