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Full steam ahead on the Elbe and the Elbe canals

The port of Hamburg covers an area along the Elbe as well as over the channels of the River Elbe and various islands in the River Elbe. Nothing would be possible here without bridges.  A total of 133 bridges link the Elbe islands together.
HPA is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all these bridges. The rehabilitation and construction of bridges is also our responsibility. Unencumbered travel is our long-term goal: the bridges are an important part of the port infrastructure. By preserving and modernising them, we ensure the port can continue to grow.

Some of our bridges have to do a bit more. These special bridge constructions are opened as required to enable larger ships to navigate the Elbe unimpeded.

The various bacsule, lifting and rolling bridges are regularly checked and maintained by our bridge masters.

Moving bridges and locks in the port of Hamburg

Are you interested in our moving bridges and watergates? All the detailed information on their locations and operating times can be found here:

Current traffic news about bridges and watergates

Show all
Typ Titel Bridge Railway Date Details

KATTWYK BRIDGE

Operating time Daily, nonstop day and night
Opening time Daily at 5:30, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 and 22:00. From 22:00 to 5:30 on request according to § 24 (2) of the Port Traffic Regulations.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Kattwyk Bridge; or on +49 40 42847-7088
KATTWYK BRIDGE

ESTE LOCK

Operating time Daily from 6:00 to 22:00
Opening time Operation of the lock takes place on advance request at the Este Lock. A request for the opening within the operating time must be made at least one hour before the desired opening time; for the opening outside of operating time, at least one hour before the end of operating time.
Notification USW radio channel 10; Name: Este Lock; or on +49 40 42847-7011
ESTE LOCK

RETHE BRIDGE

Operating time Mon.–Sat. from 6:00 to 22:00 (except bank holidays)
Opening time On request according to § 24 (2) of the Port Traffic Regulations. Opening for small ships only at high tide; when opened for oceangoing ships, small ships may also pass.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Rethe Bridge; or on +49 40 42847-4885
RETHE BRIDGE

REIHERSTIEG BRIDGE

Operating time Mon.– Fri. from 7:00 to 14:30
Opening time The request for operation within the opening time must be made one hour before the desired opening time.

The request for operation outside the opening time must be made at least one hour before the end of operating time. Mondays to Fridays, the bridge may not be opened from 7:00 to 7:30 and from 16:15 to 17:15, as rush hour traffic flows over the bridge at these times.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Via: Rethe Bridge; or on +49 40 42847 4885
REIHERSTIEG BRIDGE

LOTSEKANAL BRIDGE

Operating time The bridge is not continually staffed.
Opening time Standard opening time: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 – only on request! Requests must be made 4 hours in advance. Requests are possible Monday to Friday between 7:00 and 14:30, before bank holidays or weekends up to 12.30. Special rules apply to events. Requests can be made with LSBG to andrea.lender@lsbg.hamburg.de.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Harburg Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4851
LOTSEKANAL BRIDGE

HOLZHAFEN BRIDGE

Operating time The bridge is not continually staffed.
Opening time Standard opening time: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 – only on request! Requests must be made 4 hours in advance. Requests are possible Monday to Friday between 7:00 and 14:30, before bank holidays or weekends up to 12.30. Special rules apply to events. Requests can be made with LSBG to andrea.lender@lsbg.hamburg.de.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Harburg Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4851
HOLZHAFEN BRIDGE

WESTLICHE BAHNHOFSKANAL BRIDGE

Operating time The bridge is not continually staffed.
Opening time Standard opening time: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 – only on request! Requests must be made 4 hours in advance. Requests are possible Monday to Friday between 7:00 and 14:30, before bank holidays or weekends up to 12.30. Special rules apply to events. Requests can be made with LSBG to andrea.lender@lsbg.hamburg.de.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Harburg Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4851
WESTLICHE BAHNHOFSKANAL BRIDGE

CRANZ BRIDGE

Operating time Daily from 6:00 to 22:00, at each hour
Opening time The opening of the bridge only takes place on advance request at the Este Lock. Requests must take place at least one hour before the desired opening; for times outside of the opening time, at least one hour before the end of operating time.
Notification USW radio channel 10; Name: Este Lock; or on +49 40 42847-7011
CRANZ BRIDGE

HARBURG LOCK

Operating time Daily, nonstop day and night
Opening time ./.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Harburg Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4851
HARBURG LOCK

ELLERHOLZ, REIHERSTIEG, RUGENBERGER LOCKS

Operating time Daily, nonstop day and night
Opening time ./.
Notification USW radio channel 13; Name: Ellerholz Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4850
ELLERHOLZ, REIHERSTIEG, RUGENBERGER LOCKS

ERNST AUGUST LOCK

Operating time Mon.–Fri. from 7:30 to 16:30; Sat, Sun and bank holidays 10:00–19:00
Opening time Requests for operation outside of the opening time must be made at least one hour before the end of operating time.
From 1 November to 31 March:
Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 14:30 (except bank holidays): Requests for operation within the opening time must be made at least 2 hours before the desired opening; for operation outside of the opening time, at least 2 hours before the end of operating time.
Lock operations outside of the opening time are subject to a fee.
Notification Phone +49 40 42847-4870
ERNST AUGUST LOCK

TATENBERGER LOCK

Operating time Daily from 8:30 to 19:30
Opening time Requests for operation outside of the opening time must be made at least one hour before the end of operating time.
From 1 November to 31 March:
Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 14:30 (except bank holidays): Requests for operation within the opening time must be made at least 2 hours before the desired opening; for operation outside of the opening time, at least 2 hours before the end of operating time.
Lock operations outside of the opening time are subject to a fee.
Notification Phone +49 40 42847-7030
TATENBERGER LOCK

Traffic regulations for the port of Hamburg

German only:

§ 24 Durchfahren von Brücken

(2) Bewegliche Brücken werden während der von der zuständigen Behörde bekannt gemachten Betriebszeit auf Anforderungen geöffnet, wenn es die Verkehrs- und Betriebsverhältnisse zulassen. Außerhalb der Betriebszeit erfolgt die Öffnung nur, wenn das Fahrzeug spätestens eine halbe Stunde vor Betriebsschluss angemeldet ist.

General terms and conditions

The general terms and conditions of the Hamburg Port Authority apply to the use of the bridges and locks in the port area of Hamburg.

GTC

ALL TRAFFIC REPORTS WITHIN THE PORT

Whether it's on the water or the street, on the rail or the bridge: we inform you about the traffic in the port of Hamburg.
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Who is responsible? Whom do I reach how? Find your fitting contact in our contact-center.
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