Fully cellular containership Akacia (IMO 9315020) struck the Great Northern Lock of the Kiel Canal in Kiel-Holtenau late on February 19th while en route from Bremerhaven to St Petersburg. A technical failure of the engine control was thought to have caused the accident.
The ship partially severed the gate with its bow, which rested on the gate, and the ship subsequently suffered water ingress at the fore. The gate was found to be closed and the ship trapped within, with damage estimated at several million Euro. On the afternoon of the following day a tug pulled Akacia from the destroyed gate. As of the morning of February 21st she remained not under command north of Kiel. 2004-built, Portugal-flagged, 11,662 Akacia is owned by Akacia Schiffahrts of Burg (Dithmarschen), Germany. It is managed by DT-Bereederungs GmbH & Co KG of the same address. It is entered with Skuld on behalf of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG.