Kurz vor dem Start des The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel sprachen wir mit dem Oberbürgermeister Dr. Ulf Kämpfer über Teamspirit an Bord und Sichtbarkeit in der Welt, Shackletons Führungskunst und Manövrieren in politischen Gewässern, Segeln und Meeresschutz – und warum zu viel Breitbeinigkeit bei einer Olympiabewerbung schwierig sein kann.

We spoke with Moritz Gesterding, Head of Research & Development at ACO Beton GmbH, about microplastics in water. Moritz is the perfect conversation partner for the interviewer, who wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the box when it came to physics. Moritz's recipe: He goes from tire abrasion on the road to cooking pasta in the kitchen, from there to density differences, sedimentation, flotation, and filtration – to arrive at his favorite paragraph of the Water Resources Act and make the leap to cycling.

Kiel loves the wind and sustainable mobility! If you want to follow the exciting stages of the Ocean Race Europe from the shore, the SprottenFlotte, the regional bike-sharing system in the Kiel region, is a quick, easy, inexpensive and, above all, environmentally friendly way to get there.

Cole Brauer segelte mit 29 Jahren 2023-2024 als erste Amerikanerin solo und nonstop im Rahmen der Global Solo Challenge um die Welt – und sie beendete die Regatta nach 26.000 Seemeilen und 130 Tagen auf See als Zweite. Ich sprach mit ihr über Jungsnamen, Teamspirit und darüber, was Körpergröße mit dem Fastnet Rock zu tun hat.

Kiel is leading the way – for many years now, the PORT OF KIEL has been relying on shore power for seagoing vessels. This eco-friendly technology supplies ships at berth with electricity from shore (in Kiel: 100% green energy) via heavy-duty cables. This allows them to shut down their engines, which would otherwise run throughout their entire stay in port. The result? A major win for the environment – cutting CO₂ emissions as well as other harmful pollutants.

Stephan Kehren is Key Account Manager at ACO - but above all, he is an enthusiast when it comes to water management and how this valuable resource can be utilised sensibly. In this interview, the well-travelled specialist takes us from Singapore to Hamburg to the „Kleiner Kiel“ – right on our doorstep.

During The Ocean Race Europe, the "Carmelan", a traditional sailing ship that was restored with the help of ACO and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will be moored at the Reventloubrücke. Hans-Julius Ahlmann, partner at ACO, tells us about this almost personal connection and what a traditional ship and a family business have in common. Through swarm intelligence, philosophical skills and the value of "enthusiasm", we come to the really important thing: Make the world a better place.

Uwe Wanger has not only been Managing Director of Kiel-Marketing for almost 20 years, he is also a marketing man by nature. We spoke to him about how to bring world-famous sailing events to Kiel, why this is perfect location marketing for the city of Kiel - and which ship he will be travelling on when he finishes his job as Managing Director.

Holly Cova isn’t just Team Director of Team Malizia – she’s also a passionate nature lover, a mentor for women in sailing, a friend, and a mother. Talking with her, it quickly becomes clear that the British woman navigates the male-dominated sailing world with heart and a strong team spirit. She speaks openly about the challenges women face on board, her deep sense of responsibility toward the ocean, and why she’d rather push herself to the limit outdoors than in the gym.

As a living and economic area, the KielRegion, consisting of the districts of Plön, Rendsburg-Eckernförde and the state capital Kiel, is directly dependent on the condition of its coasts and seas. As a regional network, the KielRegion combines innovation, sustainability, and participation.

The Baltic Sea and its coasts are not only a unique natural area, but also our home. Locals and visitors alike live, work, and relax here. However, the sea on our doorstep is in poor condition. The state government of Schleswig-Holstein wants to change this and, together with the people of the state, protect the Baltic Sea more effectively in the future. In this interview, Tobias Goldschmidt explains how Schleswig-Holstein is currently making history in Baltic Sea protection and what water sports enthusiasts can do to help.

Everyone has met one of these people in their life who are rather quiet and reserved, but then outshine every conversation with shiny statement. It is a similar story with the many colourful flags visible from afar on the Kiellinie: who knows that the many masts in almost invisible, cast-iron brackets come from the Carlshütte iron foundry, from whose concrete division ACO emerged in 1946.

The second leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 kicked off this evening in Portsmouth in bright sunshine, with seven IMOCAs lining up off Cowes at 17:00 local time. From here the fleet will race 1,400 nautical miles to Cartagena, Spain, with a brief fly-by stopover in Matosinhos-Porto midweek.

Biotherm raced into Portsmouth this morning with maximum points and a commanding early lead, while Malizia’s daring inshore gamble at Dover stole second place.

The competitors are expected this Thursday in Portsmouth, at the end of this first leg of The Ocean Race Europe. Before that, they must contend with another zone of strong wind, currents that test the nerves, and numerous tacks despite the fatigue setting in.

Two days after the spectacular start from Kiel, the high-speed foiling conditions in the Baltic Sea have given way to light winds, with a high-pressure ridge slowing progress south. At 08:00 this morning, Biotherm continued to lead with an 8-mile advantage over Paprec Arkéa and 14 miles over Team Malizia.

Sonntag, 10. August – Starttag des The Ocean Race Europe 2025! Nach der Crew-Parade über die Kiellinie vom Segelcamp bis zur Blücherbrücke legten die sieben Teams ab. Es folgten der Start – und in der zweiten Minute eine Kollision!

Samstag, 9. August – ein Tag vor dem Start des The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel: Die Teams segeln wieder die Speed Runs vor Zehntausenden begeisterten Menschen auf der Kieler Innenförde. Nach der Siegerehrung geht es auf der Bühne weiter mit Konzerten und unzähligen glücklichen Gesichtern.

Der große Start beim Ocean Race Europe am Sonntag rückt näher. Am Freitag, dem 8. August, konnten die Besucherinnen und Besucher die Teams und ihre IMOCAs bei den Speed Runs endlich in Action auf der Kieler Förde erleben.

Nach der feierlichen Eröffnung des The Ocean Race Europe 2025 am Vortag ging es am Donnerstag, den 7. August in die zweite Runde. Im Mittelpunkt standen der The Ocean Race Summit in der Zentralbibliothek des Instituts für Weltwirtschaft Kiel und die Fans. Der mehrstündige Fan Day zog viele Segelbegeisterte auf die Reventlouwiese – ganz nah an die Hauptakteure dieses internationalen Segelrennens.

Captain Bornkessel, commander of the Gorch Fock, has just arrived in Las Palmas with his crew. Behind them lies a tough ride through the Atlantic with winds of force 10 and more. We talk about teamwork on the bream, why the Gorch Fock trains people for life, the manoeuvring of a frigate in 1797 – and what all this has to do with a poster that hung in his childhood bedroom in 1981.

Am Mittwoch, den 6. August um 17:30 Uhr war es so weit: Nach langer Planung eröffneten Kiels Oberbürgermeister Dr. Ulf Kämpfer und Kiel-Marketing Geschäftsführer Uwe Wanger gemeinsam mit Race-Director Richard Brisius sowie allen Skippern und ihren Teams das The Ocean Race Europe 2025. Die Reventlouwiese vor der Bühne war sehr gut gefüllt und viele Segelfans haben die Teams begeistert begrüßt.

It's 6.30am, just a few hours earlier I found out that I could interview Rosalin Kuiper. As Oranje had lost at football the previous evening, I took an orange with me as a consolation ... We talked about humour, respect and how much Rosalin is looking forward to the start of the Ocean Race Europe in Kiel.

Schleswig-Holstein is the state between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea – a geographical fact that shapes its landscape and economy. The maritime industry is one of the key sectors in Germany's northernmost state and is very diverse: from shipbuilding, marine technology and shipping to port logistics and the offshore industry, water sports, tourism and maritime research.

Her gaze wanders through the colorful streets, bustling with stalls, street performers, and crowds of people. During Kiel Week, the city is alive with vibrant activity. Something is moving at the end of the street. A house seems to be gliding through the city. That can’t be real! Her friend from Kiel reassures her: one of the large ferries to Scandinavia is just departing from its berth in the inner fjord.

The ‘Snorkeling.City’ initiative not only offers a jump into cold water, but also the chance to discover an unknown world and overcome one`s own limits.

Environmental education doesn’t end in the classroom. It comes alive when children apply what they’ve learned – during a cleanup, at the beach, or in the schoolyard. Ozeankind e.V. shows how theory and practice combine to turn kids into real ocean protectors.

Ein geheimnisvoller Schaum an der Küste fasziniert Mensch und Tier gleichermaßen. Der Hund flieht und nähert sich diesem rätselhaften, glitzernden Phänomen. Doch was ein Spiel aussieht, birgt eine unheimliche Wahrheit: Der Schaum, der durch Algenblüten entsteht, ist Träger einer unsichtbaren Gefahr.

Hi, I'm Rolf Karez, I'm a marine biologist and I work at the SH State Office for the Environment. I'm responsible for seagrasses and large algae. Everyone is talking about them because they could perhaps help to mitigate climate change. I talk about this with Philipp Schubert, a seagrass researcher from GEOMAR.

Kids often grasp what really matters faster than adults: our future. Environmental education shouldn’t be a luxury – it’s a basic need. And it doesn’t start at school, it starts at home. We show how real change begins with the youngest – and grows from there.

Seagulls calling, a fresh breeze on your face, and the shimmering blue of the Kiel Fjord – that’s everyday life for many at PORT OF KIEL. Whether you’re working at the quayside, moving between terminals, or taking a break, the port is a workplace like no other.

IT IS OVERCAST but the barometer reading is high. They arrive at the south harbour of Bear Island at two in the morning on 30 June 1908: seven obsessive birdwatchers on the steamship Strauss, along with four taxidermists and a gunsmith.

Hi, I'm Rolf Karez, I'm a marine biologist and have been working at the State Office for the Environment in Schleswig-Holstein (LfU) for over 20 years. I am responsible for seagrass and large marine algae, and I am sitting here with Philipp Schubert from GEOMAR, with whom the LfU has been collaborating on seagrass beds for 15 years.

You can enjoy the view of the fjord from the Kiellinie – on a Sunday stroll, by bike or by car on the way to work. Far away behind the horizon, Denmark is invisible. Very close, but also almost invisible: Hundreds of small openings in the kerbs that protect us from the water.

In Germany alone, around 106 billion cigarettes are smoked every year – two-thirds of the butts end up carelessly on the ground. Worldwide, the figure is around 4.5 trillion per year. They are poison for our oceans because they release microplastics and toxic substances!

Mirko Gröschner is responsible for route planning, acquisition, host city management, marketing and technology at The Ocean Race. We spoke to him about moments in the Race that no scriptwriter could have written more excitingly, a boat that was lost for 34 days - and the close connection between the Race and marine conservation.

In Bad Bramstedt, the morning light sweeps over the flat land, curtilages, fences, a farmer has given the HSV flag a home for life. At the same time, glaciers in the Arctic will soon begin to slide into the ocean again due to climate change. Arved Fuchs is at home in both worlds, has circumnavigated Cape Horn in a kayak, reached the South Pole and the North Pole on foot and sailed from the South Pole to South Georgia in a dinghy. An interview in a room full of memories. But Arved has already packed his bags for the next expedition on the 'Damar Aaen' as part of his Ocean Change project.

The maritime industry is one of Schleswig-Holstein's key economic sectors. In order to strengthen its importance, identify challenges at an early stage and develop joint solutions, the Maritime Working Group of the IHK Schleswig-Holstein meets regularly. It brings together representatives from companies, research institutions and associations and is a strategic forum for dialogue and the further development of maritime issues in the state.

 I'm sitting with Björn Both, the frontman of shanty rock band Santiano, in his dressing room at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg. The concert is about to start, the hall is already full, there are various medicines for sore throats and a box of Luckies on the small table in front of us. We talked about arriving in harbours, seamanship on land and marine conservation for the oceans.

The North Sea is not only a habitat for countless animal and plant species, but also a heavily used federal waterway. Use and nature conservation collide here—and that is precisely why there are rules to ensure order. One of the most important is the North Sea Navigation Ordinance.

Travelling is in Gerd Blank's genes. He brought back many stories and even more gratitude from his multi-year tour through Europe.

With his ZERO EMISSIONS project, Michael Walther combines ocean and climate protection with extreme water sports activities. He paddled with his SUP from Basel to Kiel and in Disco Bay off Greenland, and next he will be crossing the Atlantic for six and a half thousand kilometres without an accompanying boat. We spoke to him about how to make climate protection cool, the importance of mental strength and why he didn't become a lawyer.

Clemens Feigl is CEO and co-founder of everwave with a focus on preventing waste from entering our oceans. The strategy includes litter collection with smart technologies, innovative research and awareness work. We spoke to Clemens about local commitment to the oceans, huge rubbish fields in the sea and wheat beer in Singapore.

Sanni Beucke from Kiel is an Olympic silver medallist in the 49er FX, an Ocean Race participant and is now aiming for the 2028 Vendée Globe. in 2024, she founded the "This race is female" campaign and also published the book "Against the Wind". We spoke to Sanni about the forces of nature, femininity and tailwinds.

Lea Woldag-Schwauna is Head of Corporate Marketing at ACO. In this interview, she explains why ACO often remains invisible, how a complete cistern system can be accommodated in a lorry, what you can learn from water and what all this has to do with chocolate.

Searching for clues in the Wadden Sea: The European lobster was long considered to be almost extinct. Unexpected finds in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park now give cause for hope – and raise new questions. The HUSAWA project is scientifically investigating these clues.

The maritime industry in Schleswig-Holstein is facing fundamental change. Climate protection, digitalisation, securing skilled workers and international competitiveness are presenting new challenges for companies and research institutions alike. In order to actively and cooperatively shape this change, the IHK Schleswig-Holstein and the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN) have launched the ‘Meermachen’ project.

Are there only seagulls on the coast that like to steal fish sandwiches? But no! The water areas are a habitat for many species of seabirds and shorebirds. There is also the unique Wadden Sea, which is particularly important for many species of waders (wading through mudflats and water) as a breeding area and hub for international bird migration.

The CAPTN initiative in Kiel is pursuing an ambitious goal: the development of sustainable, autonomous and connected public transport on the water, which can be used to relieve traffic routes on land. At the heart of the project is the Kiel Fjord as a unique and, with its heavy traffic, challenging real-world laboratory for the safe mobility of the future. The motivation: commuting to work in the morning on the ferry in an environmentally friendly and relaxed manner – instead of losing time in traffic jams.

Schleswig-Holstein's coasts are home to two seal species: harbour seals and grey seals. They can be clearly distinguished by their physical characteristics, such as head shape and size. Their birthing seasons are also different. Harbour seals give birth in summer, while grey seal pups are born in winter.

Many people probably think of tropical coral reefs when they hear the word “reef”. Although these do not exist here, the underwater world off our coast also has many surprises in store! The seabed is not a boring sandy desert, but a mosaic of habitats such as seagrass meadows, algae forests - and reefs.

The North Sea and Baltic Sea shape the landscape and the lives of people in Schleswig-Holstein - this is where we live, work and relax. But our seas are in a poor state. In order to preserve marine nature, Schleswig-Holstein is protecting its marine areas with various approaches.

„Wie kommunizieren Algen?“, „Wie viel Kohlenstoff speichern Salzwiesen?“ oder „Was für Probleme verursacht ein 500 Millionen Jahre alter Wurm im Labor?“ Fragen, die man sich natürlich schon immer mal gestellt hat – oder spätestens dann, wenn sie bei den Science Shows im Rahmen des Science Summers der KielRegion auf spannende Weise beleuchtet werden.

Glittering waves, whitecaps, a wide horizon - mussels, seagrass, sometimes a starfish on the beach. But what actually lies beneath the surface and is the Baltic Sea something special? Dive in, discover the world of this unique inland sea and learn why the Baltic Sea is so worth protecting.

Maritime mobility is facing a transformation. With the development of autonomous ships, innovative concepts are coming to the fore that are not only emission-free, but also safer and more efficient. Autonomous shipping offers a sustainable alternative, especially in urban coastal regions and port cities. A pioneer in this field is the Kiel-based research and innovation network CAPTN (Clean Autonomous Public Transport Network).

Auf dem Weg zu den Kanaren wurde Ende März das Segelschulschiff Gorch Fock zum Schauplatz einer außergewöhnlichen Mission mitten im Atlantik. Unter der Führung von Fregattenkapitän Bornkessel führte das Segelschulschiff die Operation WHITE SWAN durch – ein Unternehmen, das Perfektion, Teamarbeit und die traditionsreiche Seefahrtskunst vereinen sollte.

“Mayday, mayday, motorvessel PALLAS, C6LO9, fire on deck, 17 persons on board, request immediate assistance in position 20 nautical miles west of Esbjerg”. This radio message from the captain more than 25 years ago changed and shaped the way we prevent and fight pollution accidents on our seas.

Water lover or landlubber? Do you prefer being on, in or by the water? With 1,110 kilometres of coastline, a strong maritime economy and pioneering research, Schleswig-Holstein is the ideal location for training and studying in the maritime sector.

As part of the SmarterLeben | KielRegion model project, digital solutions are currently being developed to make flood risks visible and to shape coastal protection together with citizens. The digital coastal map and the transnational citizen science project ClimateBlue show how regional responsibility and modern technologies come together.

Looking into the future and making the right prediction? We all know this: whether in everyday life, in a relationship or in a professional context, it is not easy to make correct predictions. It becomes particularly difficult when decisions have to be made on uncertain terrain. An analogy between rat epidemics, puffin figures and climate change.

Die ganze Kiellinie ist in Aufruhr: Lastwagen, Kräne, Aufbau von Pavillons. Pagoden, Ocean Dome und WaterDome. Die IMOCAs legen nach und nach an der Blücherbrücke an, und die Stimmung ist bei allen großartig. Wir alle können es nicht erwarten, dass das The Ocean Race Event in Kiel nun am Mittwoch startet!

Das The Ocean Race Europe wird am 6. August an der Kiellinie eröffnet, am 10. August ist der Start. Für das Kiel-Marketing-Team und viele andere hat der Start aber längst begonnen.

Damit die sieben IMOCAs an der Blücherbrücke anlegen können, muss ein 150 Meter langer Ponton dort angedockt werden. Das Kiel-Marketing-Team macht es unter der Leitung von Anjoscha Voigtsberger möglich.

5. Juli, ein Uhr in der Nacht – Team Biotherm läuft aus Schweden kommend in Kiel ein. Anjoscha vom Team Kiel-Marketing stellt ein RIB zum Eindocken, dann wird festgemacht. Angekommen zum The Ocean Race Europe 2025.

Vom 5. bis 10 August gab es nicht einfach nur einen typischen Ocean Live Park beim The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel: Es war ein Festival der guten Laune bei allerschönstem Sonnenschein! Seglerinnen und Segler, Ausstellende und Volunteers, Besucherinnen und Besucher – alle verband eine große Entspanntheit. Hier ein paar Impressionen an der Kiellinie und hinter den Kulissen!

Seagrass meadows provide a habitat for numerous animals and play a key role in climate protection. A short dive into one of the most valuable and at the same time most fragile natural landscapes on our coasts.

Ein gelber Glider in Kiel hat weltweit Daten gesammelt und hilft, das globale Meer-Atmosphäre-System zu verstehen. Darunter ist die Tiefsee noch weitestgehend unbekannt. Hinter den Kulissen vom Aufbau der Ausstellung SEALEVEL.

Zum Start des Ocean Race Europe kommen ECOPs (Early Career Ocean Professionals), junge MeeresexpertInnen, aus allen Stopover-Ländern zum fünftägigen Ocean Youth Summit @ Ocean Race Europe in Kiel zusammen. Die TeilnehmerInnen bringen junge, feministische und kritische Perspektiven auf Segeln, Nachhaltigkeit und Meeresschutz mit. Denn: Das Ocean Race Europe ist nicht nur ein Segelwettbewerb, sondern auch eine einzigartige Plattform für Austausch und Dialog über die Zukunft unserer Meere.

Das Highlight jeder Kieler Woche ist die Windjammerparade. Nahezu einmalig war es aber dieses Jahr: Das Segelschulfschiff Gorch Fock führte Hunderte Boote bei bestem Wind und Sonnenschein unter Vollzeug an. Der „weiße Schwan der Ostsee“ war nicht nur für die Tausenden Menschen an den Förde-Ufern ein perfektes Motiv, sondern auch für das Kiel-Marketing-Team, das mit an Bord war.

The protection of the North Sea and Baltic Sea is becoming increasingly relevant to society. Dwindling biodiversity, plastic waste, eutrophication and many other forms of pollution, not to mention the effects of the climate crisis, make it clear that the state of the oceans requires concrete measures and significantly more attention.

Marine protection. And directly to your ears. That's exactly the aim of the Ocean Five podcast. For over four years and with more than 50 episodes, the podcast has been bringing marine conservation into your living room. What can a marine conservation city like Kiel achieve? How has the path to becoming a marine conservation city gone so far? You can find answers to questions about marine conservation in Ocean Five!

As a marine conservation city, Kiel has set itself the goal of bringing marine conservation into all areas of life - including education. This is exactly where the Ocean Youngsters project, founded in 2023, comes in: We don't just want to impart knowledge, but above all generate enthusiasm for marine conservation and turn schoolchildren into active shapers of the oceans.

Four years ago Dutch yachtswoman Rosalin Kuiper raced the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe aboard the Netherlands VO65 entry AkzoNobel Ocean Racing, finishing third in the seven-boat fleet. Kuiper (30) has had a lot going on in the four years since then – including, in 2022–23, taking part in her first around-the-world edition of The Ocean Race aboard the German-flagged Team Malizia, as well as giving birth to a baby daughter in December 2024.

Greta-Sophie Strauß and Anjoscha Voigtsberger have already gained valuable experience during the Ocean Race Fly-by in June 2023. Now the Ocean Race Europe is coming up - and it's hard to say where the joy is greater: for the two of them or for the many guests we are expecting.

The maritime industry is also facing profound change. Digitalisation, sustainability, new propulsion technologies, international competition and changing regulatory conditions require continuous training for skilled workers. Continuing education is thus becoming a key factor for competitiveness and innovation.

Ich freue mich sehr, auch 2025 wieder Teil der For Planet Ocean Kampagne zu sein – und das bereits seit der Gründung des Projekts. Als Mitglied des Hosting-Teams von Anfang an begleite ich diese weltweite Kunstinitiative, die sich dem Schutz unserer Meere widmet, mit großer Leidenschaft.

In Kiel, the conversion to an emission-free bus fleet is in full swing. Today, 70 buses are already fully electric, all powered by 100% green electricity. By February 2026, 122 of the 218 KVG buses will be fully electric. If you add the 33 hybrid buses, 71% of the fleet will be emission-free or significantly lower in emissions..

Arved Fuchs und sein Segelschiff DAGMAR AAEN brechen zur nächsten Etappe ihrer Klima- Expedition auf. Bereits im zehnten Jahr setzt der Bad Bramstedter seine wissenschaftliche Expeditionsreihe OCEAN CHANGE fort, um die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die Meere zu erforschen.

In the end, THW clearly won the home game – but there were three other winners that evening: the German Committee of the UN Ocean Decade, the THW initiative För de Küste as host and host city partner of The Ocean Race Europe - and the Ocean Race Europe itself, which was announced by Björn Both. Björn is not only the frontman of Santiano, but a sailor himself and a tireless ambassador for marine conservation.

The kick-off event in Kiel.Sailing.City, the start port of the Ocean Race Europe 2025, brings together teams, host cities, partners and scientists on the topic of marine conservation.

Let's set sail for a new Era of Hope! The freshly constituted German Parliament gathered for the the election of the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz only a few kilometers from the first German Ocean Conference was held this 6-7 May.

In her podcast "The Human Behind The Sailor", Rosalin Kuiper takes you into the minds of skippers who take part in the toughest sailing races in the world, such as the Vendée Globe or The Ocean Race. Because ocean sailing is a tough business - but behind every sailor is a human being who encounters the vastness of the horizon, loneliness, storms - and challenges that could never have been anticipated.

When the tent landscape of the sailing camp is erected on the shores of the Kiel Fjord from May to September, a special time begins. But before the first sailing experiences can be gained here or courses on marine conservation can be attended, the team already has a long and arduous journey behind it. The construction of the sailing camp – a look behind the scenes.

The National Park Authority is the central nature conservation authority for the unique Wadden Sea National Park and ensures compliance with the National Park Act. It combines nature conservation with education, research and regional development. It is not only the guardian of a unique ecosystem, but also a mediator between man and nature - a task of outstanding importance.

The Imoca “Malizia – Seaexplorer” and skipper Boris Herrmann received the award for Best German Offshore Yacht 2025 at the eighteenth German Offshore Award on the evening of 6 March 2025. The ceremony took place at Hamburg City Hall and honoured the sensational 2nd place in the New-York Vendée Race 2024.

Ralf's journey to work in the morning takes him across the water of the Kiel Fjord, the trip on the fjord steamer seems like something from another world.

At the fly-by in Kiel in June 2023, it wasn't just the race that took centre stage: over the three days, almost 90,000 visitors were able to learn about and experience the race and marine conservation on the Kiellinie in the Ocean Live Park.

The Ocean Race Summit in Alicante brought together global leaders, innovators, and advocates to confront one of the defining challenges of our time: protecting the health of our ocean and restoring society’s relationship with the blue heart of the planet.

Ein Treffen auf der Zukunftsbaustelle: Anne Böhm und Ina Runge bringen die Digitalisierung bei Kiel-Marketing und in der Kieler Innenstadt voran, von KI im Office bis zu Multi-Touch-Tischen im Zukunftraum. Und das Beste: Gemeinsam arbeiten wir an einem Ocean-Race-Europe-Kiel-Song – klar, mithilfe von KI!

Being on board the boats at sea is often a challenge, but sometimes you have to see the big picture to recognise what the teams are mastering. There is always a reporter on board each boat to document everything – including with drones, which also provide spectacular images for fans on land.

Videos of The Ocean Race Europe - Kiel

The Ocean Race, famed for testing endurance and teamwork on the high seas, is writing an exciting new chapter. For five decades our story has been one of hosting a single round-the-world race every three or four years. But today, the Race is evolving into an “always on” format.

LONELINESS lies in the centre of the Kara Sea in the northern Arctic Ocean. This island is worthy of its name: it is cold and barren, trapped in pack ice all winter, with an average annual temperature of 16 degrees; at the height of summer the temperature sometimes rises to just over freezing.

In no other harbour was the race feeling as palpable as in Kiel during the Ocean Race fly-by in June 2023. Around 120,000 people came to the Kiel Fjord and 3,000 boats were on the water to be there up close. It's not for nothing that Kiel is considered one of the world's mega sailing metropolises.

Protecting groundwater, rethinking land management: Wassergut Canitz GmbH in the central Muldental valley shows how organic farming actively contributes to securing drinking water supplies — with diverse crop rotations, animal welfare-friendly husbandry, and a clear focus on prevention (with regard to groundwater quality) rather than post-treatment.

How can I become a sailor in the Ocean Race? It's a question we get asked a lot. We asked some of our sailors what they think are the most important qualities to be successful as an aspiring crew member in the Ocean Race. There isn't a simple answer, but when we put this query to some of the IMOCA sailors, a few themes kept coming to the fore.

Right in the heart of Kiel, Rune Sauna blends deep heat with Baltic Sea coolness - the perfect reset for body and mind. But this isn’t just a sauna. It’s where the city comes together.

Rosalin Kuiper is a professional ocean sailor and studied psychology, specialising in team building in high-performance sport. She is a skipper for Holcim-PRB in the Ocean Race Europe. Rosalin is active on Instagram and LinkedIn, where this article by her also appeared.

Fischkutter, Netze und Reusen so weit das Auge reicht. Salzige Luft, im Hintergrund das leise Rauschen des Meeres – das ist der Möltenorter Hafen. Mittendrin: der Wagen von Björn Fischer. Der Seebär kennt die Ostsee wie seine Westentasche und führt bereits seit 40 Jahren eine langanhaltende Familientradition fort.

1973 startete das erste Race – damals noch Whitbread Round the World, es folgten über 50 Jahre Segelerlebnisse unter extremsten Bedingungen: 14 Mal um die Welt, ein Mal als Europa-Edition. Im The Ocean Race Museum, das im Headquarter in Alicante untergebracht ist, kann man die ganze Faszination dieser weltweit bekannten Regatta erleben.

Das Kiel-Marketing-Team repräsentierte auf dem Summit in Alicante die Stadt Kiel. Mit im Gepäck hatten wir für alle Beteiligten vor Ort Mitbringsel unserer Partner Flensburger und Spielbank SH – eine Ladung Flens-Kisten für ein norddeutsches Plop! und Einladungen zur Pre-opening-Night im Casino Kiel. Und: wir hatten unsere einzigartige Kiel-Storyline dabei, die am Ende alle Teilnehmenden aus ganze Europa intonierten: Wir segeln alle im selben Boot.

 Whether deliberately discharged or unintentionally introduced, plastic waste, pharmaceuticals, toxic heavy metals, insecticides and other chemicals have found their way to every corner of the oceans. The consequences are catastrophic and often lethal, especially for marine organisms. The only good news is that international prohibitions of some pollutants are beginning to have an effect. Without radical changes in industry and commerce, however, the pollution crisis in the oceans cannot be overcome.

Marine conservation is firmly anchored in the DNA of the Ocean Race. After all, the oceans are the race courses and the wind is the boat's engine. There is a wide range of research projects and learning opportunities on marine conservation.

Renowned German sailor Boris Herrmann has been honoured with the esteemed "Deutscher Meerespreis" (German Ocean Award), presented by the Prof. Dr. Werner Petersen Foundation. This award, in partnership with the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, recognises Herrmann's significant contributions as an oceanambassador and his efforts in bringing marine research to the public.

Jährlich passieren Tausende von Schiffen den Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, was Lotsen zu unverzichtbaren Führern für sichere Durchfahrten macht. Gerald Immens ist einer von ihnen. Er lebt seinen Traumberuf und verrät uns, warum der Job wie ein Taxistand ist, wie unterschiedlich jeder Tag ist und warum es nicht auf die Größe der Schiffe ankommt.

Rosalin Kuiper is a professional ocean sailor and studied psychology, specialising in team building in high-performance sport. She is a skipper for Holcim-PRB in the Ocean Race Europe. Rosalin is active on Instagram and LinkedIn, where this article by her also appeared.

The construction of sports boats and sailing boats has undergone significant development in recent years. New materials, digital manufacturing methods and increased demands for sustainability and performance are driving innovation in the industry.

 The oceans and seas provide oxygen for breathing and food, they provide work for millions and millions of people and are loved as a place of longing, a spiritual home, a sports or adventure playground. At the same time, the oceans regulate the weather and climate and slow down man-made global warming. The future of humanity is therefore directly linked to the fate of the oceans.

 Humankind has divided the ocean into artificial zones in order to lay sole claim to specific areas and their resources. Species and water masses, however, migrate undisturbed across the borders of these zones, as do heat, pollutants and litter. Successful marine management therefore requires collective solutions.

 Today, industry and business are interested in a wide range of resources found in the ocean, including sand, crude oil and natural gas, while preparations are under way for the industrial exploitation of vast ore deposits in the deep sea. At the same time, governments and corporations are expanding the production of green electricity from the sea. Both of these developments will result in even more large-scale human interventions in the ocean environment.

 In recent decades shipping has become the backbone of international trade. More and more goods are being transported from one continent to another by ship. But this growth also has a downside. Exhaust emissions from ships pollute the air and accelerate climate change, while noise, sewage, garbage and invasive species put pressure on marine ecosystems. New, environmentally sound solutions are needed as quickly as possible.

Die „Gorch Fock“, das Segelschulschiff der Marine, ist mit ihrem Heimathafen Kiel und den Menschen hier eng verbunden. Regelmäßig wird das Schiff von den Menschen verabschiedet und bei seiner Rückkehr wieder empfangen. Zum Ocean Race Europe in Kiel kann die Gorch Fock beim Open Ship besucht werden.

The Kieler Anker (Kiel Anchor) is far more than a gathering place and provider of hot meals for those in need. Through their sustainable community kitchen, their engaging social city tours, and dedicated volunteer programs, they offer essential support to all people in Kiel who are struggling with hardship. As a committed entrepreneur, Yuen Chi Kwong supports the Kieler Anker by providing regular hot meals for the Kiel ‘Mittagstisch’ (socially inclusive lunch clubs) and has used her business connections to help get others involved too.

 In the course of evolution, marine life has developed an astonishing variety of ingenious forms, functions and survival strategies. Marine-derived natural products and pharmaceuticals may therefore deliver progress and profit in many different economic sectors. However, it is still largely unclear who exactly may profit from the oceans’ genetic diversity, how it can be used fairly and, above all, how its conservation can be guaranteed in the long term.

ALFRED VAN CLEEF wollte unbedingt hierher. Auf die Insel, die den Namen seiner Geburtsstadt trägt, zu dem Ort, der seinem Gefühl entspricht. Die Überfahrt dauerte nur ein par Wochen, das Ringen um die Genehmigung seines Besuchs acht Jahre.

 We have known for decades that the Earth’s atmosphere is warming and the climate is changing, and that this is caused by our emissions of greenhouse gases. Our mindsets, however, have remained unchanged and precious time has been wasted. Only now, with dramatic impacts becoming increasingly obvious, are leaders starting to make serious efforts to find solutions. They are forced to recognize that merely reducing greenhouse gases is not enough to keep climate change within tolerable limits.

The Kieler Anker (Kiel Anchor) is far more than a gathering place and provider of hot meals for those in need. Through their sustainable community kitchen, their engaging social city tours, and dedicated volunteer programs, they offer essential support to all people in Kiel who are struggling with hardship. Gülsah Yurttutan styles the hair of women looking for accommodation in her salon.

 The world ocean is the second largest carbon reservoir on Earth. It stores around 40,000 billion tonnes of carbon. The amount of carbon contained in the ocean exceeds that in the atmosphere by a factor of greater than 50. The ocean and atmosphere, however, are constantly exchanging carbon. With increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, more carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean, which slows the rate of climate change.

DIE SEHNSUCHT NACH EINEM HEIMLICHEN Doppelgänger, der auf der anderen Seite der Erde lebt, kopfüber, seine Füße unseren Füßen zugewandt, von der Schwerkraft an dieselbe Kugel gekettet. Unsere Gegenfüßler wohnen in den gleichen Längen, aber entgegengesetzten Breiten, ihre Jahreszeiten sind den unseren gegenüber, ihre Stunden verschoben.

 Algae, zooplankton and fish are prime drivers of what is termed the biological carbon pump. This natural process needs nutrients to function properly. Such nutrients, however, are lacking in many places, notably in sunlit surface waters. Pumping up nutrient-rich deep ocean water could remedy this nutrient deficiency. Whether such a step would actually increase the ocean’s natural uptake of carbon is uncertain.

As it sometimes happens: you meet someone whose energy inspires you through an acquaintance, three corners and social media. Janina Rossiter is such a person: she is an illustrator, author, activist – for the ocean, for the protection of our planet. We are very happy that she is on board with us.

Der Kieler Anker bietet mehr als warme Mahlzeiten. Mit Mittagstischen, sozialen Stadtführungen und Ehrenamt schafft die Einrichtung Halt und Perspektiven. Hier wird Gemeinschaft gelebt, Vorurteile abgebaut und Menschen in prekären Lebenslagen aktiv unterstützt.

IM JAHRE 1962 benennen die Franzosen der ersten Mission das nördlichste Bergmassiv nach dem größten Wunschmaschinisten, den ihre Nation hervorgebracht hat. Nun tragen ein schroffer Höhenzug auf der Insel des Besitzes und ein Krater auf der Rückseite des Mondes den Namen Jules Vernes – zwei Pole, die er auf seinen außergewöhnlichen Reisen mühelos erreicht.

Plastic waste is everywhere – in cities, on beaches, in the ocean. Ozeankind e.V. proves that change is possible: through environmental education, cleanups, and recycling projects. Our motto: Learn today. CHANGE tomorrow. We create real impact – in Germany and on Zanzibar.

SÜDLICH VOM KAPLAND dehnt sich ein weites Meer, ozeanografisch noch unerforscht. Gleich hinter der Agulhas-Bank brechen alle Lotungen ab. Mit weißem Tropenanstrich steuert die Valdivia nach Süden, nimmt einen Kurs, den seit mehr als 50 Jahren kein Schiff wählte.

Marine conservation begins on land – in the Warder Ark just outside the gates of Kiel. The ocean provides a habitat for countless plant and animal species. The diversity of this habitat is under threat. In addition to many other factors, agriculture also plays a role.

AM 8. DEZEMBER 1874 zieht sich der Himmel zu; in der Nacht darauf wird es wechselhaft und neblig. // Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, hier den Beginn des Venustransits beobachten zu können, lag bei 60 Prozent, und die, das Ende zu sehen, bei 30.

IM JAHRE 1962 benennen die Franzosen der ersten Mission das nördlichste Bergmassiv nach dem größten Wunschmaschinisten, den ihre Nation hervorgebracht hat. Nun tragen ein schroffer Höhenzug auf der Insel des Besitzes und ein Krater auf der Rückseite des Mondes den Namen Jules Vernes – zwei Pole, die er auf seinen außergewöhnlichen Reisen mühelos erreicht.

Meeresschutz beginnt an Land – in der Arche Warder direkt vor den Toren von Kiel. Die ursprünglichen Kulturlandschaften Europas sind vielfältig und abwechslungsreich. Dies ist auch das Ergebnis der Einwirkungen von Mensch und Nutztier.

DIESER SCHROFFE, DAUERFEUCHTE Flecken ist niemals Teil einer Landmasse gewesen, sondern kommt direkt aus der Tiefe der See; er ist ein Stück Erdkruste vom Boden des Ozeans, das zufällig über den Meeresspiegel geschleudert wurde, die aus dem Wasser ragende Wirbelsäule eines unterseeischen Rückens.

Marine conservation begins on land – in the Arche (Ark) Warder just outside the gates of Kiel. Arche Warder is located in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein, just 20 minutes from Kiel, and is a unique animal park with a holistic concept.

IM JAHRE 1962 benennen die Franzosen der ersten Mission das nördlichste Bergmassiv nach dem größten Wunschmaschinisten, den ihre Nation hervorgebracht hat. Nun tragen ein schroffer Höhenzug auf der Insel des Besitzes und ein Krater auf der Rückseite des Mondes den Namen Jules Vernes – zwei Pole, die er auf seinen außergewöhnlichen Reisen mühelos erreicht.

 Dr. Inez Linke is co-founder and managing director of oceanBASIS GmbH, which is based in Kiel-Holtenau. From her office, she looks out over the shipping traffic in front of the locks of the Kiel Canal and, if she is lucky, even sees a dolphin. Inez loves algae and, as a marine biologist, has developed the Kiel-based natural cosmetics company Oceanwell. How does that fit together - and what do algae have to do with marine conservation or even sailing?

Maritime tourism is a key economic factor in Schleswig-Holstein. With its 1,110 kilometres of coastline on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, numerous canals and inland waterways, and a deeply rooted maritime culture, the state offers ideal conditions for water sports, seaside recreation and nautical experiences.

Volvo and The Ocean Race have always enjoyed a close partnership in their commitment to protecting the world's oceans. It is therefore only logical that the Swedish premium car brand is also represented in Kiel. It will be bringing with it comprehensive information on the company's environmental commitment and – as a German premiere – the new fully electric Volvo ES90 sedan.

Siltation on the North Sea coast and in the tidal Elbe with its tributaries is becoming an increasing challenge for Schleswig-Holstein. The regions particularly affected are the Lower Elbe between Brunsbüttel and Hamburg and the estuaries of smaller rivers such as the Stör, Krückau and Pinnau.

Our local beaches are a real paradise – but unfortunately they are often littered with rubbish. This is exactly where our FLENS StrandGut campaign comes in: We want to lend a hand again in 2025 and work with you to clear our region's coasts of rubbish. With a new record target of 60 million square metres, we are making our beaches even cleaner and more beautiful.

The severe Baltic Sea flood in October 2023 left significant marks on the coast of Schleswig-Holstein. The high water levels hit the region with a force not seen in many years. The coastal towns along the Flensburg Fjord, the Schlei, the Kiel Fjord and the Bay of Lübeck were particularly hard hit.

Our Oceanwell initiative “Protect the Ocean” is celebrating its anniversary: With stories that speak of encounters – with wilderness, turtles, waves, and people. The first takes us to Africa, to the coastal village of Pitiké in the far southwest of Côte d’Ivoire – where sea turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs in the sand.

IM JAHRE 1962 benennen die Franzosen der ersten Mission das nördlichste Bergmassiv nach dem größten Wunschmaschinisten, den ihre Nation hervorgebracht hat. Nun tragen ein schroffer Höhenzug auf der Insel des Besitzes und ein Krater auf der Rückseite des Mondes den Namen Jules Vernes – zwei Pole, die er auf seinen außergewöhnlichen Reisen mühelos erreicht.

Meeresschutz beginnt an Land – in der Arche Warder direkt vor den Toren von Kiel. Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr? Nein, denn in der Arche Warder wird Bildung als lebenslanger Prozess verstanden.

The North Sea and Baltic Sea are among the most intensively used marine areas in Europe. In addition to shipping, fishing, offshore wind energy, raw material extraction and environmental protection, tourism – especially water sports – also plays an important role.

IM JAHRE 1962 benennen die Franzosen der ersten Mission das nördlichste Bergmassiv nach dem größten Wunschmaschinisten, den ihre Nation hervorgebracht hat. Nun tragen ein schroffer Höhenzug auf der Insel des Besitzes und ein Krater auf der Rückseite des Mondes den Namen Jules Vernes – zwei Pole, die er auf seinen außergewöhnlichen Reisen mühelos erreicht.

Around 1.6 million tonnes of old munitions from the world wars lie on the seabed of the German North Sea and Baltic Sea, which are harmful to us and our environment. What was dumped back then is now coming back into focus: because the munitions in our seas affect the environment, shipping, coastal protection and the future of marine utilisation.

In an exciting new collaboration, Team Holcim-PRB has partnered with Hatch Systems, Inc. to study the physical and mental effects of one of the world’s most demanding sports: offshore ocean racing. This initiative will explore the extreme conditions faced by the team’s five elite sailors and the unique combination of endurance, strategy, and resilience required to perform at the highest level.

British offshore sailor Pip Hare will sail alongside Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and the four-person sailing team on every leg of the race, bringing her extensive offshore sailing experience and energy to bear.

Schleswig-Holstein is considered one of the most important locations for maritime research in Europe. Nestled between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, the federal state benefits not only from its geographical location, but also from a dense infrastructure of universities, research institutes, and cooperating companies.

Our ocean serves as habitat, is one of the foundations of life on our planet, acts as a natural defence against climate change and is used as recreational area. This is why protecting the ocean and coasts is a high priority for the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUKN). However, we also need to ensure that their use is sustainable and habitats are restored.

Digitalisation has also found its way into sailing, changing training methods, competition evaluation, boat design and the everyday life of recreational sailors alike. Projects and initiatives in the region show how technology can make the sport more efficient, safer and more attractive.

Am Seefischmarkt Kiel schlägt das Herz der maritimen Innovation: TransMarTech (TMT) vernetzt Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft, um nachhaltige Lösungen für die Zukunft der Meere zu fördern. Wie das TMT innovative Ideen in marktfähige Technologien verwandelt, erfährst du hier!

The Baltic Sea is one of Europe's most attractive sailing areas. Schleswig-Holstein in particular offers a maritime world full of scenic diversity, cultural encounters and sporting challenges.

 The collaboration between Flensburger Brauerei and The Ocean Race Europe, which starts in Kiel, is based on shared values: sporting ambition, regional identity and sustainable enjoyment.

MEKUN's Marine Protection Unit monitors which chemical pollutants enter our marine environment, where they come from, in what quantities, if they exceed critical thresholds and whether pollution is decreasing or increasing over time.

In the early 20th century, sailing in Kiel inspired two extraordinary individuals: Albert Einstein and Dr Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe. Their shared passion for sailing and fascination with science led to a friendship that extended far beyond their hobby.

Ammunition in the sea has been a topic of concern for industry and research for years – and increasingly for politicians as well. Around 1.6 million tonnes of conventional ammunition, such as grenades, explosive bombs, torpedo warheads, mines and artillery shells, lie in the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. In addition, there are around 5,000 tonnes of chemical ammunition. These contaminated sites pose a growing threat to people, the environment and maritime infrastructure.

In 2025, the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary under the motto ‘Young, wild & dynamic’. The results are impressive: from initial scepticism, the national park has developed into a flagship project that enjoys great recognition.

In addition to the North Sea and Baltic Sea, the Kiel Canal (NOK) and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal (ELK) are two interesting areas for water sports enthusiasts in Schleswig-Holstein. The connecting routes for maritime shipping (NOK) and inland waterway transport (ELK) offer short connections between the North Sea and Baltic Sea and interesting insights into the country.

In the second episode of our Protect-the-Ocean expedition – Protect the Ocean is the marine conservation initiative of our natural cosmetics brand Oceanwell – we invite you to dive into the fascinating underwater world off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire. There, we’re witnessing the creation of one of West Africa’s first marine protected areas – and showing how vision, a camera, and a whole lot of idealism turned it into a real “Marine Protected Area.”

The construction of recreational boats is facing a fundamental change. For decades, glass fibre reinforced plastics (GRP), aluminium and other conventional materials dominated the market. Although these materials offer high stability and low weight, they are problematic in terms of disposal and recycling.

Why go far away when the good things are so close? The Schleswig-Holstein coast has everything to make your holiday heart beat faster: Kilometres of sandy beaches, fresh sea air and a unique blend of space and cosiness. Anyone who lets their gaze wander over the waves here knows that relaxation sometimes begins right on their own doorstep.

Marine technology and sailing are two areas of the maritime world that appear very different at first glance. While marine technology primarily deals with topics such as marine bioresources, maritime energy production, sensor technology and coastal and marine protection, sailing stands for leisure, wind power utilisation and traditional craftsmanship.

 We have been brewing our beer in Flensburg with passion and success for more than 136 years. Around 270 employees ensure that everything runs smoothly – from the brewing kettle to the famous plop'. But tradition alone is not enough to steer us into the future. That's why we are now breaking new ground and focussing on sustainability.

The ‘blue bio-economy’ refers to the sustainable use of marine resources for the production of food, raw materials, energy and innovative materials. Schleswig-Holstein, as a coastal and research state, plays a central role in this. But what are the links to the world of sailing?

More than 450 employees at the State Office for the Environment (LfU) collect basic data and make it available for policy advice, planning and approvals. In addition, the LfU develops concepts and expert reports with the aim of preserving our natural assets in the long term.

The Protect-the-Ocean expedition to Côte d'Ivoire is coming to an end. Protect-the-Ocean is the marine conservation initiative of our natural cosmetics brand Oceanwell and is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The last leg of the expedition takes us to the coastal forest of Kablaké, which is sacred to the Krouman, a local ethnic group. It is part of the "MPA Grand Bereby" marine protected area.

With the start of the Ocean Race Europe in Kiel in August, Schleswig-Holstein is once again becoming the focus of the international maritime world. It is a symbolic moment for the region between the seas – and at the same time an ideal starting point to look ahead to the future of the ‘Meermachen’ initiative.