The Port of Hamburg is preparing for a major modernization: the entrance to Waltershof harbour will be expanded, and the container terminals will receive additional space and new technical capabilities. The manoeuvring basin will be increased from 480 to 600 metres, which will make it easier for giant ships to turn and improve safety. Already, 90% of the largest container ships are handled in this part of the port, and the project is aimed at increasing the efficiency and sustainability of all berths.
The development of the port involves the creation of new berths, automation of processes and the transition to electric technology – this is an important step towards decarbonization. The Hamburg authorities will allocate part of the funding from the state budget; the total cost of the infrastructure work, which will be completed by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) by the mid-2030s, is estimated at €1.1 billion. EUROGATE has signed a preliminary lease agreement for new areas and will invest an additional €700 million in the expansion and full automation of the CTH terminal.
The project will strengthen Hamburg’s position as a major logistics hub in Germany and Europe. As Senator for Economic Affairs Melanie Leonhard and HPA Chairman Jens Meyer emphasized, the modernization will not only strengthen the port’s competitiveness, but will also form the basis for a climate-neutral infrastructure. EUROGATE is implementing a fully automated handling concept using electric autonomous vehicles, which should ensure environmentally friendly and highly efficient cargo handling.