Hamburg completes lock rebuild

摘要

The rugenberger schleuse, an important central access lock in the Port of Hamburg, is being re-opened to traffic this autumn after being rebuilt as part of a giant port infrastructure development programme lasting until about 2019 and costing about €110 million. The lock rebuilding is just one of a number of port civil engineering projects designed to improve accessibility and links to central handling facilities in the port, like the neighbouring Waltershof Harbour. Facilities there include Hamburg's biggest container terminal Burchardkai, now earmarked for expansion. Hamburg, which turned over 145.7 million tons of cargo in 2014 is now Europe's second biggest seaport after Rotterdam and is pushing infrastructure development to meet anticipated further growth. It says it wants to pass the 10 million container TEU mark this year. Economics Senator Frank Horch has said Rugenberger Lock is an important part of a long-term programme to improve road and rail traffic flows and prepare. "Significant container growth is predicted for the port in the coming years", he says.