The port of Hamburg covers an area along the Elbe as well as over the Elbe canals and various islands on the River Elbe. Nothing would be possible here without bridges. A total of 133 bridges link the islands on the Elbe.
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 port's continuing 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 bascule, 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 locks? All the detailed information on their locations and operating times can be found here:
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Operating time | Daily, nonstop day and night |
|---|---|
| Opening time | ./. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 13; Name: Harburg Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4851 |
| Operating time | Daily, nonstop day and night |
|---|---|
| Opening time | ./. |
| Notification | USW radio channel 13; Name: Ellerholz Lock; or on +49 40 42847-4850 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
German only:
§ 24 Passing through bridges
(2) Moving bridges are opened on request during the opening time, which is provided by the responsible authority, if the traffic and operation conditions allow. Operation only takes place outside of the opening time when a request has been made at least a half an hour before the end of operating time.
The general terms and conditions of the Hamburg Port Authority apply to the use of the bridges and watergates in the port area of Hamburg.
![[Translate to English:] ASW](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/6/csm_T3_Hochwasser_975d180f4d.jpg "[Translate to English:] Hochwasser im Hafen")
![[Translate to English:] ASW](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/0/csm_T3_Karriere_d29c72aea3.jpg "[Translate to English:] Karriere bei der HPA")
![[Translate to English:] ASW](/fileadmin/_processed_/c/b/csm_T3_infoPORT_9a1a84141c.jpg "[Translate to English:] infoPORT der HPA")
