Wesermarsch in focus: Future of seaports and river deepenings discussed!

Wesermarsch in focus: Future of seaports and river deepenings discussed!

In the heart of the Wesermarsch, resistance to the controversial deepening of the Weser is forming. On Tuesday, October 7th, at 7 p.m., the action alliance against the deepening of the Weser, together with the BUND Wesermarsch, invites you to an informative evening of lectures. The venue is the Jahnhalle at Jahnstrasse 20. Under the title “Large seaports – where to go? Port policy, port cooperation and river deepening”, guests can expect exciting impulses from two well-known speakers: Malte Siegert, Chairman of NABU Hamburg, and Martin Rode, Managing Director of BUND Bremen.

In their lectures, Siegert and Rode will not only discuss the future of seaports, but also discuss alternatives to deepening the Weser and the results of new studies on the economic and ecological consequences of river deepening. The current status of the Weser deepening and the possible effects on the Lower Weser are also discussed. Afterwards, those present have the opportunity to ask their questions and enter into a discussion.

Port policy on the discussion agenda

The background to this event is extremely explosive. According to a study commissioned by the Center for European Politics, the deepening of the Elbe and Weser rivers is not economically justified because the benefits do not cover the enormous costs. This result is supported by the environmental associations WWF, NABU and BUND, which are calling for a fundamental realignment of national port policy. They argue that the high annual maintenance costs and the resulting ecological damage are no longer sustainable. In particular, the federal government's responsibility in port development is under discussion.

The study clearly shows that German ports need to rethink their course. Instead of concentrating more on the invisible risks caused by deepening of fairways, they should enter into cooperation between the North Sea ports in order to maximize value creation potential with minimal environmental impact. In particular, the previous expansion and maintenance measures have already caused considerable damage to the nature reserves at the mouths of the Elbe and Weser. Populations of many fish species have declined dramatically over the last 25 years.

Sustainability as a future strategy

The challenges for port locations are great. The forecasts for container throughput in German ports are under pressure. A new “twin transition” of decarbonization and digitalization is intended to open up new value creation potential. This calls for public funds that were once intended for river deepening to be invested in sustainable projects that secure the port locations in the long term.

The demands of the environmental associations are clear: the abandonment of unnecessary river deepenings, close coordination between the federal and state governments on the area required for energy transformation and the review of the economic benefits of river deepenings are essential. The shocking results of the study make it clear that a port policy aimed at growth is no longer appropriate. Instead, the focus should be on a sustainable, environmentally friendly transformation.

The upcoming round of discussions in the Wesermarsch offers the opportunity to collect important impulses and approaches for action. Anyone interested in this important topic should save the date and take action. A constructive exchange can be crucial in setting the course for a sustainable port policy.