Hamburg, 13 July 2017 – Whether logistics, industry, experience or future technology: in the past few months, companies and research industries participated in an international ideas competition by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and offered various ideas for a future-oriented use of the port area Steinwerder-Süd. The idea to develop a combination of an e-logistics hub and an automated container terminal in the central area of the Port of Hamburg best met the extensive competition criteria, which focused on the feasibility as well as the financing approach, the creation of permanent jobs and the development of the overall area Steinwerder. The various suggestions from the concepts will now be integrated into the future development of the middle port. This does not necessarily mean that the awarded plans have to be implemented as presented in the end. The concepts are ideas for the future of Steinwerder-Süd, which are now part of a transparent and non-discriminatory procedure. In the end, the responsible Ministry for Economics, Traffic and Innovation will make the decision on these crucial next steps. The objective is to secure and strengthen the competitive position of the Port of Hamburg in the long run.
Representatives from all possible areas were able to participate. The 42 hectare-sized area offers potential for up to 1,100 metres of quay wall with three berths for large vessels as well as the production of terminal space at Oderhafen and new water areas as manoeuvring space. In total, twelve contributions were made, of which eight fulfilled the participation requirements and were evaluated by an independent jury.
„I want to sincerely thank all participants for their contributions. You have submitted a broad spectrum of creative ideas on how the Port of Hamburg can grow in a future-oriented way,” says Jens Meier, CEO Hamburg Port Authority. The proposals range from e-mobility projects to a multi-user terminal and a 3D printing factory. “The variety of ideas proves that the area in Steinwerder-Süd offers a lot of potential for the future development of the Port of Hamburg,” says Meier.
Automated container terminal with logistics park
The first place was awarded to the contribution of ZPMC Germany GmbH/CCCC (China Communications Construction Company Ltd.). Based on the “One Belt – One Road” initiative for the development of the intercontinental infrastructure network between Europe and China, the draft recommends to build a combination of an e-logistics hub and an automated container terminal in Steinwerder-Süd. An automated container terminal, a logistics park with integrated e-hub and smart, automated warehouse facilities are components of the concept sketch.
Short Sea Terminal with Cool Chain Storage
The second place went to the concept of the Hamburg-based company C. Steinweg (Süd-West Terminal) GmbH & Co.KG in cooperation with Rotterdam Short Sea Terminals B.V. The participants suggest the creation of a Hamburg Short Sea Terminal as main use of the area. This would be comparable with an already successful terminal of the Steinweg Group in Rotterdam. According to the concept sketch, the plant could have a capacity of 400,000 containers (720,000 TEU) and help avoid many truck journeys within Europe. An additional use of the land-based area could be a cool chain storage and production hall.
Shared use of infra and superstructure
The jury gave an innovation award to the contribution of the Hamburg-based workgroup “Lagerhalter und Quartiersleute GbR’. The land use concept is called ‘Cluster of Commodities’. The objective is to bundle Hamburg’s food and luxury food logistics with the shared use of the infra and superstructure. Among other things, quay facilities should be used by a newly founded joint venture. In addition, production sites and cold storage facilities should be built. Another part of the concept is the relocation of the wholesale market to Steinwerder. Touristic use is also considered.
Other contribution focused, for example, on an operating concept for improved utilisation of the quay walls through various users, on industrial production of bridges based on 3D printing as well as the production of electric motors.
Members of the ideas competition jury were Dr Torsten Sevecke (Head of Department, Innovation and Structural Policy, Mid-Sized Sector, Port; Ministry for Economics, Traffic and Innovation), Prof Dr Gesa Ziemer (Professor for Cultural Theory and Vice President Research, HafenCity University Hamburg), Michael Westhagemann (CEO Industry Association Hamburg; CEO Region Northern Germany, Siemens AG), Uta Stammer (Divisional Manager Services / Project Development & Area Management / Mittelstandslotsin; HWF Hamburg Business Development Corporation mbH) and Ingo Egloff (Executive Board, Port of Hamburg Marketing e.V.).
