CSCL Star Arrival Highlights Benefits of Elbe Deepening at Hamburg

The arrival of Cosco’s 14,074 teu CSCL Star in Hamburg yesterday with a draft of 15 meters has provided one of the strongest examples so far of the advantages delivered by the Elbe River deepening project, according to Alphaliner.

The 366 m containership called at Eurogate’s Hamburg terminal on August 11, approximately two decades after plans for the dredging project were initially developed. One of the main objectives of the €800 million project was to enable ultra-large containerships to access Germany’s largest port while operating at close to their full draft.

Alphaliner reports that the deepening work has increased Hamburg’s maximum inbound draft to as much as 16.1 m when ships take advantage of tidal conditions. However, permitted drafts differ depending on the size of the vessel and whether it is arriving at or departing from the port.

Typical inbound draft limits have risen to 15.9 m for 12,000 teu vessels, 15.8 m for ships with capacities of approximately 15,500 teu and 15.4 m for the largest 24,000 teu containerships. Compared with the restrictions in place in 2020, ultra-large containerships can now benefit from draft increases of up to 1.8 m.

Outbound draft limits have also been raised. Ships with capacities of 12,000 teu can now operate with drafts of up to 14.6 m, while the limit for vessels of around 15,500 teu stands at 14.5 m. For 24,000 teu containerships, the outbound limit has increased to 14.1 m.

Although the physical dredging itself was completed in approximately one year, the overall project faced delays lasting nearly two decades as a result of permitting disputes and legal challenges.