The Port of Hamburg has said the fairway adjustment of the Elbe waterway is almost complete, with the final dredging work on the riverbed due to take place in the coming days.
In a statement, the Port said the cutter-head suction dredger the ‘Fernao de Magalhaes’ will complete the necessary, the first time a vessel of that kind has operated in Hamburg.
The vessel, which belongs to the commissioned hydraulic company Jan de Nul has also been used on the Panama Canal’s expansion.
The special dredger is expected to be in operation until the end of September. As the ship is used near the shore in the Blankenese area, noise pollution may arise occasionally, but this will be reduced to a minimum.
At the same time, the last work is currently being carried out on the two new leading lights in Blankenese, which were set up in June and July respectively. Currently, the installation of the lights and connection to the main system are being prepared. In autumn, the work on the passing box and leading light line will be completed so that the dismantling of the old lighthouses can begin.
The entire fairway adjustment between the North Sea and the Port of Hamburg will be completed in 2021 as planned.
The Port passed a significant milestone in January 2020 when a section of the water was widened enough to allow two vessels of 98m to pass one another.