The Dortmund-Ems Canal is a major waterway in Germany that is approximately 269 kilometers long and connects the Ruhr area with the North Sea near Emden. It was opened in 1899 and has since served as an important commercial canal, linking the Ruhr industrial region with the Ems River and beyond to the North Sea.
This canal not only has an economic importance, allowing the transport of coal from the Ruhr area as well as the import of ore, grain and sugar, but also a historical one. Built at a time when the railway network was no longer able to cope with transport demands, the canal helped make coal from the Ruhr competitive with imported English coal. During the Second World War, the canal was attacked several times due to its strategic importance, but was repaired and continued to be used after the end of the war.
One of the notable structures on the Dortmund-Ems Canal is the Henrichenburg ship lift in Waltrop, which was able to lift ships by a height difference of 14 meters and was in operation until 1962 before it was replaced by a new ship lift and lock. Today it houses the Westphalian Industrial Museum.
The canal's route connects numerous cities, including Dortmund, Waltrop, Datteln, Münster and Emden, and offers a direct connection between the Ruhr area and the North Sea, without having to go through foreign territory. This makes the canal a central transport route for inland shipping in Germany.
For cyclists, the Dortmund-Ems Canal Cycle Path, an official long-distance cycle route, offers the opportunity to explore the picturesque landscape along the canal. The route is around 350 kilometers long in total and mostly runs directly on the canal or along the Ems, which gives cyclists unique insights into the natural and industrial history of the region.
Overall, the Dortmund-Ems Canal is not only important for the economy and freight transport, but also an attraction for tourists and cyclists who want to experience the scenic beauty and historical significance of this waterway.