Author: Kim Christin Ahrens

At the junction of the Elbe and the Kiel Canal lie Brunsbüttel’s three ports: Elbehafen, Ölhafen, and Ostermoor. Together, they form the supply backbone of ChemCoast Park Brunsbüttel, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest industrial zone, and play a key role within the wider Hamburg metropolitan region. They are owned and operated by Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH.

With its trio of ports, Brunsbüttel serves as an energy and industrial hub, and is a vital pillar in safeguarding the energy supply for Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Germany as a whole. In particular, the Elbehafen has become a national supply hub for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, thanks to the infrastructure it provides for operating a floating LNG terminal – all while continuing to function as a versatile all-purpose port.

Looking to the future, Brunsbüttel is set to develop a central CO₂ hub. The site will serve as a logistics node for temporary storage, subsequent utilisation (Carbon Capture and Utilisation, CCU), and the onward transport of CO₂ to secure storage sites (Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS). In doing so, the Elbehafen will expand it’s role beyond goods and energy to become a major export hub for CO₂.

The ports of Brunsbüttel and Hamburg are closely connected and enjoy a long-standing and trusted partnership. Jointly, they serve as crucial nodes for the supply of energy, raw materials, and consumer goods. Brunsbüttel’s port network is also a strong logistics partner for the Hamburg region, providing industrial services at four locations for clients across multiple sectors.

Beyond this close collaboration, the Elbe itself – as a federal waterway of national significance for the transport of goods and the maritime economy – serves as a vital link between Brunsbüttel and Hamburg. Inland shipping, in particular, plays a central role for both ports: it is an indispensable part of climate-friendly transport chains, not only along the Elbe. With low energy consumption and minimal emissions, it offers a greener alternative to road and rail, easing the strain on transport infrastructure while strengthening the security of supply.

For many years, Brunsbüttel and Hamburg have worked hand in hand to expand inland shipping – notably through a regular inland vessel shuttle on the Elbe and by raising public awareness of this sustainable mode of transport. As a central lifeline of northern Germany, inland shipping on the Elbe links sustainable transport routes with innovative logistics, driving a climate-friendly future.