Ship Hoist Scharnebek

image author: Paetric Schwarz

The twin ship lift in Scharnebek is one of the world's largest twin-vertical ship lifts. Ships up to around 100m length can lifted simultaneously in 12m wide troughs, water depth of 3,40m and a weight of 5.800t.

image author: Paetric Schwarz

At the area there is an exhibition hall. Here one can watch on moving models the individual processes of the ship lift like the opening and closing of the troughs and gates, the lifting and lowering of the troughs etc. The different principals of the lifting and lowering of ships through locks and hoists are being described.

image author: Paetric Schwarz

The ship lift Scharnebek is part of the federal water way Elbe-Seitenkanal lateral canal for which the Wasser- und Schiffahrstamt in Ulezen is responsible. The Elbe-Seitenkanal connects the Elbe with the Mittelandkanal.

image author: Paetric Schwarz

The challenging building has been planned for decades. It took 8 years to produce the connection between Elbe and Mittellandkanal. On the whole stretch of the Elbeseitenkanal a height difference of 61 metres is being overcome. The ship lift compensates 38 metres and the lock in Uelzen 23 metres.

Do enjoy a day trip and get a 'lift' with the excursion boat and then get active at the the climbing forest Scharnebek, which is close by.