Design and mode of operation
- The hoist is designed as a double vertical ship hoist: Two troughs can be operated independently of each other.
- The troughs have a usable length of 100 meters, a width of around 12 meters and a water depth of around 3.40 meters. The ships are moved up or down in the water-filled troughs like in giant elevators.
- The weight of a trough filled with water is around 6,000 tons, regardless of whether a ship is floating in it or not. This is because, according to Archimedes' principle, a ship displaces exactly as much water as it weighs.
- Each trough is suspended from 240 steel cables with a diameter of 54 mm, which are guided over large pulleys in the four towers.
- On the opposite side are 224 counterweights made of heavy concrete, each weighing around 27.2 tons.
- Each trough is driven by four electric motors, each with an output of 160 kilowatts. The lifting height of 38 meters is overcome in about three minutes.
The history
- Construction work began in 1968 as part of the new construction of the Elbe Lateral Canal.
- The first ship passed the hoist on December 5, 1975. At the time of its commissioning, it was the largest double vertical ship lift in the world.
- On July 18, 1976, just a few weeks (33 days) after the opening, a dam burst near Erbstorf due to construction defects. Around 4.5 million m³ of water escaped and flooded around 15 square kilometers of land.
- No one was injured, but the material damage amounted to around DM 20 million. After the renovation in 1977, the canal was put back into full operation.
Significance and current developments
- Today, the ship lift is a central component of the Elbe Lateral Canal, which connects the Mittelland Canal near Wolfsburg with the Elbe near Artlenburg.
- It enables goods to be transported between southern, central and northern Germany and Berlin to the port of Hamburg.
- The usable length of 100 meters is now considered a technical bottleneck, as modern large motor cargo ships and pushed convoys are up to 185 meters long.
- For this reason, the construction of a new modern lock with a usable length of around 225 meters and a width of 12.5 meters is planned. It is intended to supplement or replace the existing lift in the long term.
- The project is being supervised by the Mittelland Canal / Elbe Lateral Canal Waterways and Shipping Office and is classified as an urgent requirement in the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan.
Visitor information
- The boat lift is accessible all year round and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.
- The on-site information center explains how the boat lift works, the construction of the Elbe Lateral Canal and the history of the region - with models and display boards.
- A circular route with several viewing points, including at the forebays, the visitor platforms and the park-like grounds, offers impressive insights into the operation.
Guided tours
- Guided tours for groups and school classes are offered regularly and can be booked via Jörg Ahlfeld at: www.schiffshebewerk-scharnebeck.de
- Dates for open guided tours can be found ▶here.
Good to know
Openings
The area around the hoist can be visited all year round.
The information center with park-like grounds is open daily from 01.04. to 31.10. from 10:00 to 18:00. Opening times may vary; up-to-date information can be obtained on site or directly from the operator.
The information center with park-like grounds is open daily from 01.04. to 31.10. from 10:00 to 18:00. Opening times may vary; up-to-date information can be obtained on site or directly from the operator.
Eligibility
Suitable for any weather
for Groups
for Class
for familys
for individual guests
Pet allowed
Suitable for the Elderly
for Children of all Ages
Suitable for Pushchair
Other Furnishing/Equipment
Toilet
Barrier-free access
Payment methods
free of charge, Cash payment on site
Accessibility
Travel for Everyone
Directions & Parking facilities
By car from Hamburg (A 39):
Leave the A 39 at the Lüneburg / Scharnebeck exit and follow the signs to Scharnebeck. At the first traffic circle in the town, the boat lift is on the left-hand side.
For parking, take the first exit at the traffic circle. After about 50 meters you will find the parking lot on the left.
From the direction of Lauenburg:
Drive via Echem to Scharnebeck. At the traffic circle in the town center, take the third exit. After about 50 meters, the parking lot is on the left.
By public transport:
Bus 5110 runs from Lüneburg train station to Scharnebeck. The bus stop is within walking distance of the boat lift.
Parking:
There is a public parking lot in the area of the Scharnebeck tourist information office or directly at the boat lift at Adendorfer Straße 44.
Leave the A 39 at the Lüneburg / Scharnebeck exit and follow the signs to Scharnebeck. At the first traffic circle in the town, the boat lift is on the left-hand side.
For parking, take the first exit at the traffic circle. After about 50 meters you will find the parking lot on the left.
From the direction of Lauenburg:
Drive via Echem to Scharnebeck. At the traffic circle in the town center, take the third exit. After about 50 meters, the parking lot is on the left.
By public transport:
Bus 5110 runs from Lüneburg train station to Scharnebeck. The bus stop is within walking distance of the boat lift.
Parking:
There is a public parking lot in the area of the Scharnebeck tourist information office or directly at the boat lift at Adendorfer Straße 44.
More information
Information on guided tours is available from the Scharnebeck Tourist Information Office.
Phone: 04136/907-7500
E-mail address: tourismus@scharnebeck.de
Registration for open guided tours at: www.schiffshebewerk-scharnebeck.de
Phone: 04136/907-7500
E-mail address: tourismus@scharnebeck.de
Registration for open guided tours at: www.schiffshebewerk-scharnebeck.de
Contact person
Tourist-Information Samtgemeinde Scharnebeck
Adendorfer Straße 46
21379 Scharnebeck
License (master data)
Verkehrsverein Samtgemeinde Scharnebeck e. V.
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