Hamburg Expands Waltershofer Hafen To Boost Capacity And Sustainability

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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.

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Source: HAFEN HAMBURG