Kiel

KIEL

In February 2024, organisers of The Ocean Race confirmed Kiel.Sailing.City as the host of the start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025.

Previously, Kiel was the finish port of the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02 and last year the German city hosted a hugely successful Fly-By on the penultimate leg of The Ocean Race 2022-23.

Located in the northernmost part of Germany on the southwestern shore of the Baltic Sea in the vicinity of Denmark, Kiel is one of Germany’s major maritime centres. As such, the city is known for a variety of international sailing events – including the spectacular Kiel Week regatta which has been held annually since 1882.

The regattas for the 1936 and 1972 Olympic Games were also held in the Bay of Kiel.

Kiel's recorded history began in the 13th century. Until 1864 it was administered by Denmark but in 1866 the city was annexed by Prussia and in 1871 it became part of Germany.

Thanks to its location on the Kiel Fjord and the Kiel Canal – the busiest artificial waterway in the world that connects the city to the North Sea, modern day Kiel is an important sea transport hub with direct ferry connections to Norway (Oslo), Sweden (Gothenburg) and Lithuania (Klaipeda). With more than 900,000 ferry and cruise ship passengers and 134 cruise ship arrivals in 2021 alone, Kiel is the most important cruise ship destination in the region. Once the home of the German Navy's Baltic fleet, the city continues to be a major high-tech shipbuilding centre.

The GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is one of several leading institutions in the field of marine sciences that The Ocean Race cooperates with as part of its science programme.

Famously, the 2001-02 edition of The Ocean Race finished in Kiel, when home country fans were delighted to witness the crew of the German entry illbruck Challenge seal overall victory.

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PROTECTING THE OCEAN

Nestled at the end of a 17 kilometre fjord on the edge of the Baltic Sea, Kiel has incredible and diverse wildlife on its doorstep. The Baltic Sea’s brackish waters are home to both salt and freshwater species including the Baltic Grey Seal, Atlantic Harbour Porpoise and the endangered European eel.

The fjord has lush seagrass meadows that provide a vital habitat for marine life and improve water quality. This wonder plant also plays an oversized role in fighting climate change, as it only covers around 0.1 - 0.2% of the entire ocean floor, but is responsible for 10% of the ocean’s overall carbon storage.

As the entry point to the Kiel Canal, a crucial channel for commercial traffic that connects the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, wildlife in the inlet is under increased stress. In fact the waters around Kiel face many threats. The Baltic Sea suffers the effects of nutrient enrichment as a result of the run-off from surrounding cities and overfishing has led to a collapse in fish numbers, including Atlantic Cod and herring. It is also one of the fastest-warming marine regions in the world with water temperatures increasing by 1.5 °C over the past 30 years.

Promising steps are being taken to safeguard the marine environment by local authorities along with institutes such as GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (one of the organistaions that collaborates on The Ocean Race’s Science programme).

Of the swathes of the Baltic Sea under the jurisdiction of Kiel’s regional authorities, areas totalling 12.5% are being placed under strict protection. Meanwhile, Kiel is working to slash greenhouse gas emissions and is the first city in Europe to achieve zero-waste certification, promoting initiatives like leftover food sharing and workshops in schools. Measures are also being taken to improve fisheries management, reduce nutrient run off and to restore habitats, with NGOs and citizens helping to replant seagrass in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea.

Head to Ocean Live Park to discover more about ocean protection and The Ocean Race's collaboration with GEOMAR, and discover how you can help to take action for the ocean here.

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