The Bremen ports have launched an extensive investment program to strengthen their role as a logistical hub. According to Bremenports, the expansion of rail infrastructure, modernization of the quays, improvement of road connections, and the consistent development of an onshore power supply are at the center. The aim is to secure the long-term competitiveness of the Bremen and Bremerhaven sites and to advance the ecological transformation of the port economy.
Claus Hansen, who, as a representative of the Bremen ports for Austria: "Austria is traditionally a solid and good partner of the Bremen ports and already handles a large part of its foreign trade via Bremerhaven – especially by rail. The expansion of rail connections will provide additional reliability, will lead to clear improvements, and strengthen this close partnership."
Expansion of Rail Connections
Bremerhaven has always been regarded as a railway port. The Bremen ports want to further expand this lead. From 2026 the port railway station Speckenbüttel will be modernized and expanded.
The number of arrival tracks increases from 16 to 23. In addition, an electronic interlocking based on the digital operating system Prinos is to be installed. According to Bremenports, the investment total amounts to 56 million euros.
Already in July, at the Eurogate terminal, a first new facility for intermodal transport went into operation. It has six tracks, each 740 meters long, and remotely operated crane systems. A second facility is to follow shortly. Parallel, Deutsche Bahn will begin in 2026 with the fundamental renovation of its main lines. The connection between Bremen and Bremerhaven is to be renewed by 2027 in order to increase capacity and reliability.
Investments in the Quays and the Outer Weser
Also on the water side, extensive measures are planned. From 2026 around 3,000 meters of the CT1 to CT3a container quay will be modernized and reinforced. The costs for this new construction amount to about 770 million euros according to Bremenports. The terminal operators are additionally investing
almost a billion euros in new cranes and automated handling processes.
In addition, the federal government is currently creating the planning prerequisites for a deepening of the Outer Weser. Work is expected to begin in 2026. The goal is to secure accessibility for current and future vessel types.
Improvements in Road Traffic
Also at the Bremerhaven Overseas Port there is investment in road connections. Based on a current traffic-flow analysis, the road network will be expanded. An additional routing option will in the future ensure smooth traffic flow even during peak times.
Additionally, a damaged swing bridge is being replaced to connect Columbus Island more efficiently to traffic. It is a major location for cruise shipping with more than 300,000 passengers processed annually. The costs for both road projects total around 185 million euros.
Expansion of Onshore Power Supply
At the same time, the Bremen ports are driving the ecological transition forward. In October, the first shore power plant for auto carriers is
to go into operation at Nordhafen Europas. This goes beyond the European Union's requirements, which to date provide shore power only for container ships and cruise ships.
Around the turn of the year, three more facilities will follow at the container quay. For the coming cruise season, a further facility goes into operation at the Columbuskaje. For this first expansion stage Bremen invests 52 million euros. By the end of the decade, in addition ten more shore power plants at the container quay as well as two at the cruise quay are planned.
Discussion at the Logistics Talk in Vienna
The investments and their significance for the European logistics location are also a topic at the next Logistics Talk in Vienna. The event will take place on Thursday, 18 September 2025, at the Juwel event location and starts at 6 p.m. According to the organizers, the event should offer an opportunity to discuss the measures and their impact on European goods traffic. (av)
