Port of Kiel 2026: Green Shore Power and High-Tech Submarines
In the civil sector, the Port of Kiel has reached a true milestone. Following investments of around 50 million euros, the expansion of the massive shore power facility at the Ostseekai was completed in September 2025 and is now running in full regular operation in 2026. The operators' ambitious goal: 80 percent of all arriving ships are to be supplied with emission-free green electricity. The DFDS ferries have also been successfully integrated into the system since January 2026, which significantly improves local air quality and makes the port a global pioneer in decarbonization.
A completely different, yet technologically no less impressive picture emerges at the traditional Kiel shipyard Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). This is where the highly classified mega-submarine "INS Drakon" was built for the Israeli Navy. Following the shipyard's internal handover, the new build left the port of Kiel on September 1, 2026, and arrived safely in Haifa at the end of September after a mostly submerged transfer voyage. With suspected vertical launch systems and air-independent propulsion, this vessel marks an enormous technological leap in submarine construction.
These two major projects clearly illustrate the two strong faces of the city of Kiel in 2026 within a very confined space. While the cruise and logistics industry paves the way for a climate-friendly holiday future with green shore power, the local shipyard industry continues to deliver state-of-the-art security technology for the world's oceans. It is a fascinating contrast that underscores Kiel's immense importance for international shipping.
