Hamburg Expands Waltershofer Hafen To Boost Capacity And Sustainability

The Port of Hamburg has unveiled an ambitious infrastructure upgrade at Waltershofer Hafen, aimed at enhancing navigational safety, increasing container throughput, and supporting the port’s long-term climate-neutral and automation goals.

Turning Basin Widening and Infrastructure Upgrade

• The Elbe River turning basin will be widened from 480 to 600 metres to accommodate the world’s largest vessels, improving navigational safety and maneuverability.

• This upgrade benefits all berths and will improve overall throughput efficiency at Hamburg’s busiest container area.

New Terminal Land and Automation Plans

• New terminal yards will be created to increase container handling capacity and support automation and electrification.

• EUROGATE will lease and invest €700 million in expanding and modernising the Container Terminal Hamburg (CTH).

• The terminal will shift from manual to fully automated operations, featuring electric, autonomously guided vehicles for container movement.

Timeline, Funding and Legal Framework

• Public funding will support the €1.1 billion infrastructure cost; EU state aid approval is expected by 2026.

• Construction, led by Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), is planned for completion by the mid-2030s.

• Legal challenges have been cleared; the land reclamation phase involves excavating the eastern headland and infilling the existing port basin.

Strategic and Environmental Significance

• The upgrade supports Hamburg’s goal of climate neutrality by 2040, aligned with the Senate’s Port Development Plan.

• It positions the port as a modern, resilient logistics hub on global shipping routes.

• Integration with road and rail infrastructure enhances multimodal efficiency.

The Waltershofer Hafen expansion is a strategic leap forward for the Port of Hamburg, blending capacity upgrades with climate action and technological innovation. With strong public-private collaboration and a clear roadmap, Hamburg is preparing to meet the future demands of global maritime trade and sustainability.