Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE DE KEL

Kiel, Germany

Germany · 54.32° N, 10.13° E

The World Port Index classes Kiel as a river port with enclosed basins reached from the Baltic Sea. It records a channel depth of 11 m and a cargo pier depth of 4.9 m. Norfolk is 6,550 km away in a straight line.

6,550 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
11 m
Cargo pier depth
4.9 m
Max vessel length
315.7 m
From Norfolk
6,550 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Eckernforde30 km away

Depths and vessel limits

The index sets a maximum vessel length of 315.7 m and a maximum draft of 10.5 m.

Channel depth
11 m
Anchorage depth
6.4 m
Cargo pier depth
4.9 m
Oil terminal depth
4.9 m
Maximum vessel length
315.7 m
Maximum vessel beam
37.6 m
Maximum vessel draft
10.5 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

Kiel is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage available
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Tug salvage
Yes
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Shelter afforded
Good
Entrance restricted by tide
No
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No
Overhead limits
Yes

Cargo handling

Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.

Container
Yes
Ro-ro
Yes
Breakbulk
Yes
Solid bulk
Yes
Liquid bulk
Yes
Oil terminal
No
LNG terminal
No
Wharves
Yes
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
Yes
Lifts up to 24 tons
Yes
Railway
Small

Services and supplies

Repair capability is rated major.

Repairs
Major
Dry dock
Medium
Electrical repair
Yes
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Provisions
Yes
Deck supplies
Yes
Engine supplies
Yes
Shore electricity
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Garbage disposal
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
Yes
Airport
Yes

US trade with Germany

US exports, 2025
$82.8BLed by aircraft and spacecraft
US imports, 2025
$155.8BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for Germany

Other ports in Germany

The nearest is Eckernforde, 30 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.