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Kieler Verkehrs A.G. (German Shipping Company)

Last modified: 2019-08-12 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: kieler vag | sfk | schlepp und faehr kiel | hafenrundfahrt kiel |
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Schlepp-und Fährgesellschaft Kiel mbH

[Schlepp-und Fährgesellschaft Kiel mbH] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, based on an image located by Jan Mertens, 7 May 2012

SFK (i.e. Towage and Ferry Co. Kiel) is present on the German Seatowage fleet page, about half way down.
The company arms are in evidence: Schleswig-Holstein flag colours, horizontal BWR with black initials "SFK" in the middle stripe, behind the arms two crossed black anchors and yellow ropes draped around them (the anchors are therefore not strictly "foul" I believe).
As you can see on this Wiki page, the SCHILKSEE flies these arms on a white field (and the flag of Kiel on the bow) on this clickable photo. Again the SFK flag, on FALCKENSTEIN: here. See also company website
Founded in 1996, the former shipping department of Kiel#s local transport company and still owned by the town, SFK offers transport to places near Kiel, and supplementary lines to beaches, in summer, best seen on this little map.
In addition, harbour and Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (Kiel Canal) visits are organized during the season plus, of course, to the Kieler Woche (i.e. Kiel Week) sailing event. Charter tours are also possible. The entire fleet consists of four tourist vessels, two combined ships, three tugs and two maritime (seaworthy) pontoons.
Jan Mertens, 10 Aug 2008

We find an interesting historical overview of this company ('Kieler Verkehrs A.G.' on FOTW-ws being a precursor): here
We learn that 'Hafenrundfahrt AG' (i.e. harbour cruises) was founded by Christian Ivers in 1905 the ships of which were nicknamed "white steamers" - competitor Neue Dampfer Compagnie operated "black" ones. Although cattle transport was important, local shipping companies carried passengers as well, for professional as well as for leisure purposes.
For some reason the Nazis helped Hafenrundfahrt to buy up several companies such as a local bus operator and NDC, symbolized by a name change in 1938, 'Kieler Verkehrs AG' (i.e. Kiel Transportation Co.). See above mentioned webpage for the flag, rendered in b/w, half way down.
Even during WW2 this policy was continued as the NDC takeover happened in 1941; part of Kiel's tramway system was cornered the next year. At the same time, the municipality brought the company under its control. Eventually the KVAG shipping department would become SFK in 1996.
The 'Hafenrundfahrt' house flag appears in the 1928 Flaggenbuch II (part 1) under different numbers, depending on the issue. Attached is no. 339 on (deleted) p. 19 very much resembling present SFK and even more 'Kieler Verkehrs AG' in our pages.


Hafenrundfahrt AG Kiel

[Hafenfundfahrt A.-G., Kiel] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 Aug 2019, based on image located by Jan Mertens, 24 Aug 2008
In this version the anchors are clearly foul (black-and-white rendering); the initials of the period, all black, are placed as follows: 'H.' on the red stripe, 'A.G.' on the white stripe, and 'K.' on the blue one: 'Hafenfundfahrt A.-G., Kiel'.
To recall, mother company (in the sense of combined municipal transport systems) 'Kieler Verkehrs A.G.' is here. KVAG became KVG or Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH in 2001.
Jan Mertens, 24 Aug 2008

The flag was white, charged with a blue over white over red shield with black inscriptions "H" (blue stripe), "A.G."(white stripe) and "K" (red stripe). The shield is superimposing two white fowl anchors in saltire.
Source: Massary 1928, series 1, image no.278
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 Aug 2007


Kieler Verkehrs A.G.

[Kieler Verkehrs A.G.] image by Jarig Bakker, 17 Feb 2006

Kieler Verkehrs A.G., Kiel - white flag, the firm's shield superimposed on two black anchors in saltire.
Image after Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 17 Feb 2006

[Kieler Verkehrs A.G. #2] image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2012

The variant has only black capitals, a different form of shield and an additional yellowish rope.
Source: scan located by Jan Mertens
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 May 2012


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