THE deepening of the Port of Hamburg will commence after 17 years of planning despite the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU) and its partner organisations' plan to file an appeal with the Federal Administrative Court in a new attempt to block the dredging programme.
However, the environmental groups have decided not to seek an emergency stay, meaning the work on the harbour deepening project may proceed as the opposing sides continue to battle it out in court.
NABU chairman Alexander Porschke said that the decision not to seek a stay was a difficult choice but the odds of succeeding in court and obtaining one were low, reported The Maritime Executive.
The appeals process may take years, giving the port time to make physical progress on the project. Hamburg plans to issue tenders for dredging soon and work is expected to start in March.
Hamburg received regulatory approval to plough ahead with the project in August, resolving previous court disputes about its environmental impact. The US$700 million harbour-deepening project will add 2.4 metres of depth to the port's approach channel.
In addition, the project will create a wide 'passing box' where inbound and outbound mega containerships will be able to navigate around one another, thereby improving traffic flow. Completion is expected in 2020.
However, the environmental groups have decided not to seek an emergency stay, meaning the work on the harbour deepening project may proceed as the opposing sides continue to battle it out in court.
NABU chairman Alexander Porschke said that the decision not to seek a stay was a difficult choice but the odds of succeeding in court and obtaining one were low, reported The Maritime Executive.
The appeals process may take years, giving the port time to make physical progress on the project. Hamburg plans to issue tenders for dredging soon and work is expected to start in March.
Hamburg received regulatory approval to plough ahead with the project in August, resolving previous court disputes about its environmental impact. The US$700 million harbour-deepening project will add 2.4 metres of depth to the port's approach channel.
In addition, the project will create a wide 'passing box' where inbound and outbound mega containerships will be able to navigate around one another, thereby improving traffic flow. Completion is expected in 2020.