UPDATE 0817 UTC: Canal traffic confirmed closed – some parts of crane carried by MERI fell into water after collision, and sank.
Heavy lift ship MERI cargo, crane spare parts, contacted Holtenau Bridge in Kiel Canal at around 0340 UTC Nov 30, shortly after the ship entered Canal for southbound transit. The ship was moored near bridge, bridge might sustain serious damages, bridge traffic closed. Canal traffic is reportedly, also closed. Ship’s or ship’s cargo damages unknown. MERI is en route from Rostock to Esbjerg, Jutland, Denmark. As of 0800 UTC MERI remained berthed.
