Waltershofer Hafen today

Waltershofer Hafen is located in the western part of the Port of Hamburg and is one of the most important hubs for container handling in Northern Europe. Two major terminals shape the area: the Burchardkai Container Terminal (HHLA) – Hamburg’s largest and oldest terminal – and the Container Terminal Hamburg (Eurogate). Around 90 per cent of the largest container ships calling at Hamburg are handled here.

As Germany’s largest seaport, Hamburg plays a central role in ensuring the supply of goods – far beyond the city and its metropolitan region. To maintain this role as a reliable and future-oriented supply hub, targeted investments in infrastructure and terminal space are essential.

Future plans for Waltershofer Hafen

To make operations at Waltershofer Hafen more future-proof, efficient and climate-friendly, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has launched a comprehensive modernisation programme. Three key measures are planned:

• More space for large vessels: The turning circle at the harbour entrance will be widened from 480 to 600 metres. This will make arrivals and departures faster and safer, while ensuring that even the world’s largest container ships can continue to call at Hamburg and manoeuvre efficiently.

• Two new berths: Along a new quay wall over one kilometre in length, two additional berths for modern container ships will be created. This expansion will streamline operations within the basin and significantly increase handling capacity.

• Expansion and modernisation of CTH: The Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg will be extended with new terminal areas. Here, container handling will gradually be automated and fully electrified. New equipment, superstructures and IT systems will provide the foundation for a terminal that is designed to operate in an almost climate-neutral way in the future.

The HPA plans to complete the public infrastructure by the mid-2030s. The newly developed areas are scheduled to be handed over to Eurogate in 2036.