Kiel, Germany
Sea freight in Kiel
We book FCL and LCL sea freight for shippers and consignees in Kiel, via Port of Kiel, Kiel Canal. Pre-carriage, on-carriage by road or rail and the customs entries are planned together with the ocean booking.
Airports, seaports and connections in Kiel
- AirportHamburg
HAM - SeaportPort of Kiel, Kiel Canal
Kiel has no airport with cargo services; its air gateway is Hamburg Airport (HAM), reached via the A7 and A215, with Frankfurt (FRA) used for freighter connections via road feeder. Kiel's own Port of Kiel is a major ferry and cruise port with regular ferry services to Norway, Sweden and Lithuania, and it lies at the eastern entrance of the Kiel Canal, the busiest artificial waterway in the world. Deep-sea containers move via Hamburg.
The A7 links Kiel with Hamburg and Denmark via the A215 and A210, and the A21 runs south towards Bad Segeberg. Ferry routes from Kiel include Oslo, Gothenburg and Klaipėda, carrying trailers and trucks as well as passengers. The Kiel Canal connects the North Sea and the Baltic Sea without the detour around Denmark.
Operational logistics facts for Kiel
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Kiel | Ferry and trailer services to Norway, Sweden and Lithuania | Road-ferry option for Scandinavian and Baltic shipments |
| Kiel Canal | Shipping link between North Sea and Baltic | Shortcut for vessels avoiding the route around Denmark |
| Hamburg Airport (HAM) | Belly cargo | Nearest airport for Kiel air freight |
| Shipbuilding and naval cluster | Ship spare parts and marine equipment | OBC and NFO for vessels waiting in port |
Industries in Kiel and how we support them
Kiel is a centre of shipbuilding, naval and maritime technology. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems builds submarines in Kiel, and German Naval Yards Kiel builds naval and commercial vessels. Marine research and maritime suppliers complete the cluster. Freight includes ship parts, marine equipment and spare parts for vessels, often needed urgently at a port somewhere in the world. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for ship spare parts, air freight under our own air waybills via HAM or FRA, sea freight via Hamburg, and export clearance by our own customs team, including export control checks for naval equipment.
FCL and LCL via Port of Kiel, Kiel Canal
Full containers are booked directly with the shipping line; for smaller volumes we use LCL consolidation services. Pre-carriage from Kiel to Port of Kiel, Kiel Canal, or on-carriage after arrival, is arranged by road or rail as part of the same booking.
Customs clearance in Germany
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Germany is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from Germany we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Germany need an EORI number issued by German Customs.
Frequently asked questions
Which port is used for sea freight to and from Kiel?
Usually Port of Kiel, Kiel Canal. Depending on the shipping line and the destination, another port can be faster or more economical; we compare the options when quoting.