Author: Mathias Schulz

When a container ship such as the ‘ONE Inspiration’ from the Far East arrives at the mouth of the Elbe, a finely tuned interplay of precision, experience, technology and trust begins. What may appear unremarkable from afar is, upon closer inspection, a logistical masterpiece carried out within the tightest of confines. The voyage upriver to the Port of Hamburg is a high-stakes manoeuvre in which no decision is left to chance.

Piloting Giants

From the German Bight onwards, river pilots take command. They know the Elbe fairway to Hamburg inside out: every bend, every current, every shallow. What is often unfamiliar territory for ocean-going captains is home ground for them. The Elbe is divided into three pilotage sections: the Lower Elbe, the Upper Elbe, and the area of the harbour pilots, who guide ships over the final stretch right up to the quay wall.

From a ship’s length of 350 metres, two pilots are usually required on board per section. One takes charge of navigation, while the other handles communication. Today, G. Schulz is navigating the ‘ONE Inspiration’ across the Upper Elbe with a steady hand. He has been doing this since 2010. Like all Elbe pilots, he began his career on the lower stretch and, after many years and countless ships, is now in charge of the section between Brunsbüttel and Hamburg. His seafaring career, however, began much earlier – as an officer on global routes. ‘For many years, I sailed between the Mediterranean, South America and South Africa. Now I steer the really big vessels along the Elbe.’

‘Really big’ – today that means: 400 metres long, 61 metres wide, a capacity of 24,136 TEU, drawing 14.1 metres on this voyage and with an air draught of 67.7 metres. ‘I’m used to it,’ says the pilot. ‘But that doesn’t mean you can take it lightly.’ These dimensions also mean that a single mistimed manoeuvre, an imprecise course change, or a sudden surge of cross-current can cause serious problems. On a bend, the manoeuvre sometimes starts 500 metres before the actual turn, so as to ensure that the ship is precisely located in the fairway later on.

"Today, I steer
the really big
vessels along
the Elbe.“

G. Schulz
Pilot

The most recent upgrades to the navigation channel have significantly eased navigation on the Elbe. In particular, the creation of the designated passing box and the deepening of the navigation channel at crucial points are key improvements. ‘In the past,’ says the pilot, ‘we regularly had to postpone encounters with large ships or slow down until there was enough space, below the Stör.’ Those days are over. Now, two large vessels can safely pass each other simultaneously in the defined area off Wedel. This has resulted in greatly increased flexibility in shipping traffic. Only a few months ago, the permitted combined width of ships in the designated passing box was increased to 110 metres in a trial. This has further facilitated navigation on the Elbe. Nevertheless, timing remains crucial. Because when meeting other large vessels, there can be no delays.

Hamburg: Keeping the gateway to the world open

For Björn Garbe, special cargo expert at Ocean Network Express (ONE), Hamburg is far more than just a German port. ‘Hamburg is a hub in ONE’s global liner network – this gateway to the world is part of our everyday reality.,’ he says. Garbe works in ONE’s Hamburg office, which emerged from the merger of the container shipping divisions of the traditional Japanese shipping companies MOL, K-Line and NYK. The founding of the company in 2017 and the start of operations in 2018 marked a turning point – today, ONE ranks among the world’s largest container shipping companies.

‘We currently operate around 260 vessels with a total capacity of over two million TEU. Our goal is clear: by no later than 2030, we aim to surpass the three-million-TEU mark.’ The Port of Hamburg plays a central role in this strategy. As a gateway to Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Southern Germany, it offers not only geographical, but also infrastructural advantages. ‘Hamburg is strategically well-positioned for multimodal links,’ explains Garbe. ‘Whether by road, rail or inland waterway – everything is closely interlinked. Added to this is the large number of logistics-related businesses that have set up around the port.’

The deepening of the navigation channel is a decisive factor for shipping lines such as ONE. ‘Previously, with vessels of this size, we were extremely dependent on the tide. Now it is possible to enter even at medium or low water levels. This saves time, reduces costs – and increases safety.’

"Precision

is key.“

Deepak Mehra
Captain

Navigating technology, nature and responsibility

Captain Deepak Mehra stands on the bridge of the ‘ONE Inspiration’ on this day. The experienced seafarer has been with the Japanese shipping company since 2003 and has undertaken numerous voyages to Hamburg. On this occasion, however, it is his first approach to the Hanseatic city with the comparatively young ‘ONE Inspiration’. ‘The Elbe is one of the most scenic rivers I have ever sailed on,’ says Mehra. ‘But it demands the utmost concentration. There are tight bends, strong currents, and constantly changing conditions.’ Among the challenges is the socalled squat effect, which makes a ship sit lower in the water at higher speeds in shallow waters, adding complexity to navigation. On top of this, there are shallow sections where there is often only limited clearance under the keel.

At Brunsbüttel, the first pilot switch takes place, followed later by a second just before entering the port. ‘The passage between buoys 50 and 80 is especially complex – but also fascinating.’ A captain responsible for a vessel of this size must not only work closely with nature, but also with the authorities, technicians and terminal operators.

Coordination with the tugboats takes place between the agents, the pilots and the captain himself. Depending on the weather, wind strength and berth, between two and four tugs are deployed. For today’s berthing manoeuvre there are three – two astern and one at the bow. ‘Precision is key,’ says Mehra. ‘Both in one’s own commands and when working with pilots and tugs.’ This need for accuracy will remain just as important on the Elbe in the future. Nevertheless, with the newly announced expansion of the turning basin in front of the Waltershofer Hafen from 480 to 600 metres, the 400-metre giants will have considerably more room to turn.