AN October ruling from a Leipzig court will decide whether the Port of Hamburg's River Elbe can be dredged to accommodate the next generation of mega ships, reports Lloyd's List.
"To be able to handle the big ships of the future, the harbour deepening is of vital importance," said Port of Hamburg marketing chief Axel Mattern.
"But I don't think Hamburg will become a dying port [if the ruling is negative]. It is still a good port and nothing will change from the situation we have now," he said.
Week-long hearings took place at the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig in mid-July, and while its decision is final in Germany, the judgment can still be overruled by the European Court.
"But I am quite convinced that we will have a positive answer from the judges," said Mr Mattern.
The Elbe can handle 16,000 TEUers today, but loads are limited. The river must also be widened to accommodate the simultaneous passing of two ships with a combined beam of 90 metres on 50 per cent of the 130-kilometre shipping channel.
WORLD SHIPPING
24 August 2014 - 20:03
Leipzig court to rule in October if Hamburg's River Elbe can be dredged
AN October ruling from a Leipzig court will decide whether the Port of Hamburg's River Elbe can be dredged to accommodate the next generation of mega ships, reports Lloyd's List.
WORLD SHIPPING
24 August 2014 - 20:03
Leipzig court to rule in October if Hamburg's River Elbe can be dredged
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