Permission sought for revised Elbe Channel deepening plan
GERMANY's Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Hamburg Water and Navigation Office (WSD) have applied to the planning authorities for a reconsideration of their revised plans for the deepening of the Elbe.
The developers are inviting public feedback on the modifications to the project until November 20.
The proposed deepening of the fairway of the Lower and Outer Elbe is aimed at allowing containerships with a maximum draught of up to 14.5 metres unhindered access to and from the Port of Hamburg.
Planning permission was applied for in March 2007, and attracted a great deal of attention, including significant opposition to the plan, with particular regard to the environment and dike safety.
In response to these concerns, the changes now proposed by the two developers mainly concern the ways in which the dredged materials will be disposed of.
It is now proposed that dredged materials will no longer be piled up against the north bank of the Elbe as originally planned.
Hamburg's Senator for economy and labour, Axel Gedaschko, said: "Talks will continue into the next phase of the proceedings. This is the only way in which the application for planning permission can be brought to a positive conclusion, giving users of the port the planning security that is called for. The adaptation of the fairway is not just in Hamburg's interest, in the last resort, the whole region stands to benefit."
In the event that permission is granted to proceed with the modified plan, dredging operations may be able to start before the end of 2009. The work is expected to take 21 months to complete, a statement from port authorities said.
The developers are inviting public feedback on the modifications to the project until November 20.
The proposed deepening of the fairway of the Lower and Outer Elbe is aimed at allowing containerships with a maximum draught of up to 14.5 metres unhindered access to and from the Port of Hamburg.
Planning permission was applied for in March 2007, and attracted a great deal of attention, including significant opposition to the plan, with particular regard to the environment and dike safety.
In response to these concerns, the changes now proposed by the two developers mainly concern the ways in which the dredged materials will be disposed of.
It is now proposed that dredged materials will no longer be piled up against the north bank of the Elbe as originally planned.
Hamburg's Senator for economy and labour, Axel Gedaschko, said: "Talks will continue into the next phase of the proceedings. This is the only way in which the application for planning permission can be brought to a positive conclusion, giving users of the port the planning security that is called for. The adaptation of the fairway is not just in Hamburg's interest, in the last resort, the whole region stands to benefit."
In the event that permission is granted to proceed with the modified plan, dredging operations may be able to start before the end of 2009. The work is expected to take 21 months to complete, a statement from port authorities said.