The Port of Hamburg will be able to handle larger container ships after the clearance of the second stage of the adjustment of the River Elbe.
New fairway drafts now offer shipping greater flexibility on Lower and Outer Elbe, according to the port authority, which noted that the fairway adjustment ensures improved planning capacity at terminals.
The release of the second stage came on 24 January 2022, representing an achievement of the project target of enabling container ships with a draft of up to 13.50 metres to reach the Port of Hamburg irrespective of the tide.
The major German port explains, “In comparison to the situation before the fairway adjustment, inbound and outbound shipping now gains from a draft increase of between 1.00 and 1.90 metres. Irrespective of the tide, megamax vessels with a width of up to 62.50 metres and a length of 400 metres can now move about the port with a draft of up to 13.10 metres. Prior to adjustment, the figure was no more than 11.40 metres. A favourable tide makes 15.40 metres feasible, compared to the previous 13.60 metres.”
Furthermore, the expansion of the navigation channel is expected to have a positive impact on the environment, allowing the Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center (HVCC) to optimise its Elbe passage planning, which will lead to more just-in-time arrivals that during the approach enable many vessels to reduce speed and bunker less fuel, causing lower pollutant emissions.
Meanwhile, the optimisation of the Elbe passage planning is also expected to enhance safety, defusing potential conflicts on the Elbe and in the port area.
