30th Lower Saxony Port Day as a Live Event in Emden

A stronger perception of Lower Saxony’s seaports in business, politics, and the public – this was the declared goal when the Lower Saxony Port Day was established 31 years ago. After a two-year forced pause, around 300 participants from business, politics, and administration gathered for the long-awaited Port Day for the 30th time. Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economics, Dr. Bernd Althusmann, advocates for the port location of Lower Saxony.

(Emden) André Heim, Managing Director of the port marketing company Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH, welcomed around 300 guests from business, politics, administration, and the press at the 30th Lower Saxony Port Day aboard the LNG ferry MS “MÜNSTERLAND” in the outer harbor of Emden.

Traditionally, the Port Day discusses the current developments in Lower Saxony’s seaports. The Universal Port Group handled a total of approximately 51.4 million tons in maritime traffic in 2021 (48 million tons in 2020), marking a growth of about 6% compared to the previous year. The port of Emden handled around 4 million tons last year. The handling of breakbulk cargo developed positively (+3% compared to the previous year) – primarily the import of forest products such as pulp and timber.

Challenges in the First Year of Corona

The first year of the pandemic was not an easy year for Lower Saxony’s seaports. Last year, there were again numerous challenges to overcome: supply chains were interrupted, there were temporary shutdowns of production facilities, and shifts in goods flows occurred. “The port balance for 2021 is therefore to be assessed positively. Especially in the handling and storage of breakbulk cargo, including RoRo and containers, we see very good developments at several port locations,” said A. Heim during his opening speech.

As a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Lower Saxony’s seaports are facing imminent economic and ecological transformation processes in the areas of climate and energy. A. Heim emphasizes: “Lower Saxony’s seaports offer the best conditions for all important alternatives to Russian natural gas: LNG in Wilhelmshaven and Stade, hydrogen in Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven, as well as offshore wind energy in Cuxhaven, Emden, and Wilhelmshaven. Our ports are well prepared!”

Port Day Was Missed

The mayor of the host city Emden, Tim Kruithoff, highlighted the high importance of the port for the city in his greeting: “The Emden port is the westernmost seaport in Germany. For centuries, the economic heart of our city has been beating here. To this day, it provides the working and living environment for many thousands of people across generations – and a good piece of the soul of our city beats in our port. That is why I am particularly pleased that after two years of pandemic-related pause, it is possible for the long-planned Port Day to take place in the port of Emden. The Port Day was missed. Because ‘Seaports of Niedersachsen’ plays a significant international role in the current geopolitical situation. Furthermore, the Port Day always sends signals for the future viability of the ports, which are needed in these current times and with the accompanying challenges in the areas of digitization as well as environmental and climate protection, and into which further investments must be made.”

Port Infrastructure for Energy Supply

Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economics, Dr. Bernd Althusmann, sees Lower Saxony’s seaports as an important and strong partner for the economy with growth potential: “Emden plays a strategically important role in many respects, especially for the transport connections of Lower Saxony’s ports. Especially now, in times of the unlawful Russian war of aggression, we as a federal state are making important decisions here and now in Emden for the future of our port location. After all, Lower Saxony is a port state. Lower Saxony locations, particularly Stade and Wilhelmshaven, have excellent location characteristics with their existing port infrastructure, direct access to trans-European natural gas supply networks, and coastal gas storage capacities to develop LNG infrastructures on the northern German coast. LNG will play a crucial role in the redesign of our supply in the long term. I am personally committed to this as Minister of Economics with all my strength.”

Opportunities and Importance for Rail

Frank Erschkat, Senior Vice President Intermodal Sales DB Cargo and also spokesperson for the management of TFG Transfracht, spoke on the topic “Importance and Opportunities of Lower Saxony’s Ports for Rail” and emphasized the joint development opportunities.

The 30th Lower Saxony Port Day has once again proven to be a successful networking event and an established format this year. Following the event, participants had the opportunity to take part in a special harbor tour aboard the passenger ship MS “ATLANTIS.”

Photo: © seaports / Image caption: (l. to r.) André Heim, Managing Director Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH, Frank Erschkat, Senior Vice President Intermodal Sales DB Cargo & Spokesperson for the Management TFG Transfracht, Dr. Bernd Althusmann, Lower Saxony Minister for Economics, Labor, Transport, and Digitalization, Tim Kruithoff, Mayor of the City of Emden