Kiel now has a new architectural landmark. The 13-storey terminal at Schwedenkai, two years in the building, was officially inaugurated at a ceremony on October 1st. Peter Harry Carstensen, the Minister President of the federal German state of Schleswig-Holstein, Torsten Albig, Lord Mayor of the state capital of Kiel, Dan Sten Olssen, CEO of Stena AB and Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG) jointly cut a ribbon at the entrance to the passenger level, officially opening the new terminal. “This is a great day for the Port of Kiel”, said Dirk Claus. “The new Schwedenkai underscores our position as one of the most popular passenger ports in Germany and as a first-class handling hub for breakbulk cargo”.
The 151-ft tall main terminal building, located directly on the Inner City waterfront, has reshaped the city’s landscape profile. Designed by architects KSP Jürgen Engel and constructed by the Schwedenkai working group, made up of the construction companies Heinrich Karstens and Friedrich Helbig, Schwedenkai is the Port of Kiel’s new landmark. At the heart of the new building, and on its lower levels, are efficient handling facilities for cargo and passengers. Above them, in the impression of a ship’s bow, is a modern office complex with a view over the harbour and the Kiel Fiord.
About $41.3m has been invested in Schwedenkai, $24.8m of it in the terminal building and 12 million Euros in making the terminal’s logistics and infrastructure as efficient as possible.