The Port of Hamburg announced that the planning procedure for the adjustment of the Elbe fairway has been completed with the supplementary planning approval. The legal preliminaries are therefore in place that will enable construction to start.
The fairway adjustment is important for the development of the Port of Hamburg. Upgrading the fairway can start as soon as the Federal and Hamburg planning authorities have eliminated the reservations expressed by the Court.
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A corresponding supplementary planning procedure has been carried out and completed with a supplementary planning decision. This mainly regards the ‘Billwerder Island Tidal Connection’ project.
According to Senator Frank Horch the Port will begin with explosive ordnance and preliminary construction measures in the next few days, while all tendering has already been completed.
First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher, said:
For Germany’s foreign trade, the Port of Hamburg is its gateway to the world. It is an important hub for global goods flows and contributes greatly to Hamburg’s economic strength. With today’s supplementary planning decision, we have full legal planning approval for the adjustment of the fairway that will make the Port of Hamburg considerably more competitive internationally.
With the new fairway ocean-going ships will be able to leave Hamburg with a draft of 13.50 metres; and using flood tide, with one of 14.50 metres. For shipping, the fairway adjustment will provide one extra metre of draft and the related decisive advantages.
Finally, containerships will be able to transport around 1800 more containers (TEU) per call. The ‘passing box’ downstream from Hamburg will make the Elbe navigable for mega-ships in both directions without the existing restrictions.
