An apparatus for exchanging pouring tubes at a casting vessel having a closeable bottom pour opening of a continuous casting installation. Each pouring tube has an infeed end and an outfeed end for the molten metal, typically steel, flowing therethrough and into a throughflow vessel, such as a continuous casting mold or tundish. Guides serve to move each pouring tube from an approximately horizontal introduction or infeed position into a substantially vertical casting position. The guides are structured such that different paths of movement are provided for the infeed end and outfeed end of the pouring tube, and specifically, the infeed end of the pouring tube moves along an approximately horizontal path of movement and the outfeed end of the pouring tube moves along an approximately vertical path of movement, at least a portion of which vertical path of movement is located within the throughflow vessel.
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