Freight News, Sea


Hamburg invests for the future

[ July 8, 2025   //   ]

The port of Hamburg and the Germany public sector are to invest €1.1 billion in modernising container terminal operations at the Waltershofer Hafen

The Elbe approach is to be enhanced created to make navigation to the Burchardkai and Hamburg container terminals easier and faster. At the same time, new land for terminal operations will create additional capacity.

Around 90% of the largest container vessels calling at Hamburg are currently handled at the Waltershofer Hafen. The turning basin will be widened from 480 to 600 metres. Which will enhance navigational safety and operational efficiency for current and future vessel sizes at Hamburg’s busiest container throughput area, while improving navigability and resilience along the River Elbe.

The creation of additional berths will also improve terminal workflow and processes will be automated and electrified.

The work will be partly covered by public funding, estimated at around. The work is scheduled to be completed by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) by the mid-2030s. 

In addition to the public investment, terminal operator Eurogate has signed a preliminary lease agreement for the new areas and will invest at least €700 million in expanding the existing container terminal, with completion planned within two years of the handover of the newly developed land. 

Hamburg’s Minster for Economic Affairs, Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard said: “We are laying the groundwork to ensure that Hamburg is well prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Projects of this magnitude require meticulous planning and long-term implementation. This infrastructure will help ensure that large vessels will be handled reliably and efficiently in the Port of Hamburg. It also strengthens Hamburg’s service capacity and reinforces its role as a key hub on major international shipping routes.”

Hamburg Port Authority chief executive, Jens Meier added: “This project will enhance the performance of the Port of Hamburg and represents a vital investment in its long-term competitiveness. In doing so, we are also laying the groundwork for the next steps towards a climate-neutral port. As a first step, the HPA will update the planning before proceeding with construction, due to finish by mid-2030s.”

Eurogate chairman Tom Eckelmann commented: “The urgently needed expansion of the turning basin, along with the enlargement and modernisation of throughput facilities, are key decisions that will help secure a positive future for the Port of Hamburg. With the enlargement and modernisation, we are initiating the transition from manual operations to an automated terminal concept at the Hamburg site.

“We will design superstructure, heavy equipment, and IT infrastructure, starting with the existing terminal, to support a fully automated throughput system across the entire terminal, including the expansion area.”

The authorities have already approved the plans although, as public funding is planned for the construction of the public infrastructure, approval from the European Commission is required, a process that may take several years. To ensure maximum legal certainty for the chosen procurement approach, the HPA is voluntarily conducting an upstream ex-ante review process, with results expected in 2026.

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