The German government has adopted a long-awaited National Port Strategy which is positive news for Cuxhaven’s energy transition ambitions. Under the strategy, the government will partly fund the construction of berths five to seven at the port. 

Cuxhaven is dubbed “the most important transhipment point” for the onshore and offshore wind industry in Germany. It is the only coastal location in the country that has heavy-duty port areas that are needed for the oversized wind turbine components.

According to the Cuxhaven Port Management Association (Hafenwirtschaftsgemeinschaft Cuxhaven), it is also the only coastal location that can provide the port area at short notice, as the building permit is already in place. Every year, around 15,000 large components for wind turbines are delivered to land and sea via the deep-water terminals in Cuxhaven, including around 80 per cent of all rotor blades for wind turbines on land.

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The cost of building the necessary infrastructure is estimated to be around €300 million, which cannot be managed by the state of Lower Saxony and the private sector alone. The state of Lower Saxony has already allocated €100 million for this purpose, and the private port industry will contribute an additional €100 million through concession fees. With the federal government’s commitment to provide the remaining €100 million, it is now possible to proceed with the development of berths 5-7.

Michael de Reese, Chairman of the Cuxhaven Port Management Association, said, “We very much welcome the decision of the Federal Government, which means that the urgently needed expansion of Cuxhaven can now be implemented. We would like to thank all those involved in this important cause over the past few months. This is a good day for Cuxhaven and the energy transition in Germany.”