125 years of Elbe-Lübeck-Canal: Celebrate the maritime summer with us!

125 years of Elbe-Lübeck-Canal: Celebrate the maritime summer with us!

Lübeck, Deutschland - This year we celebrate a very special anniversary: ​​the Elbe-Lübeck Canal is 125 years old. On June 16, 1900, the waterway was inaugurated and has played an important role in shipping and regional economy since then. The channel extends over 61.55 kilometers in Schleswig-Holstein, where it connects the Elbe in Lauenburg with the Baltic Sea in Lübeck. It was built between 1895 and 1900, at that time still known as an Elbe-Trave Canal, and has undergone several development phases since then. NDR reports on the committed moderation of Petra Volquardsen, which in a special broadcast on June 15, 2025, from 06:00, the exciting history and the current challenges of the canals illuminated.

The importance of the Elbe-Lübeck Canal goes far beyond leisure traffic. Every year around 2,500 freight ships and 5,000 sports boats travel this section, which is designed for class IV inland ships. The channel houses seven locks, including the impressive lock in Lauenburg, which was renovated in 2006, to enable 115 meters long ships. The main transport goods, such as fertilizers, stones and wood, are still the backbone of water traffic.

from history to the present

The Elbe-Lübeck Canal has an eventful story. It is the successor to the Stecknitz Canal, which was built in the 14th century. Despite its high traffic volume, however, the channel suffers from a loss of meaning for professional shipping, a fact that has been observed since the 1960s. There are currently plans for an expansion, but these were stopped for the time being in 2020. According to the Federal Traffic Plan 2030, up to 800 million euros are planned for investments to make the channel fit for future challenges, after all, the bridge crossing heights should be increased from 4.4 to 5.25 meters.

We can be excited to see which impulses will bring the celebrations of the cultural summer on the channel from June 28th to July 28th. This event offers a platform for music, theater and literature and will definitely attract many people along the idyllic banks of the channel. Daniel Kaiser not only gives tips for a bike tour along the channel, but also brings the beauty of the region closer.

a piece of northern German legacy

The waterways in Germany are a fascinating part of our heritage, that would often be overlooked. The federal water road network comprises a total of 7,476 kilometers, with 75 percent of the route running on rivers and 25 percent on channels. The Elbe-Lübeck Canal is an important part of this network. It is not only important for international freight transport, but also a popular goal for nature lovers and recreational athletes.

The preservation and expansion of these waterways are essential issues that have to be discussed and advanced in the coming years. What about the future of the Elbe-Lübeck Canal? Keep your eyes open and follow the news to stay up to date - the channel will certainly continue to develop and surprise us.