The Port of Rostock is Not Retiring at 65

The handling company EUROPORTS Germany and the port operator ROSTOCK PORT hosted a birthday reception today to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Rostock Overseas Port at the town hall of the Hanseatic city. Mayor Eva-Maria Kröger, State Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Wolfgang Blank, as well as the managing directors of EUROPORTS, Karsten Lentz, and ROSTOCK PORT, Jens A. Scharner and Dr. Gernot Tesch, emphasized the enormous significance of the largest German universal port on the Baltic Sea in front of about 150 invited guests from politics, business, and the port, including many former port actors.

(Rostock) Dr. Gernot Tesch, Managing Director of ROSTOCK PORT GmbH: “The pulse of the overseas port beats as powerfully as ever in its 65th year. Approximately 30 million tons of goods of all kinds are handled annually. The Rostock port economy stands for about 20,000 direct and indirect jobs at the most powerful economic location in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, thus creating value in the city and the country.”

Dr. Wolfgang Blank, Minister for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism, and Labor: “The Rostock Overseas Port has significantly shaped the development of our country. For 65 years, it has been Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s gateway to the world and a strong engine of our economy. As a green energy port, it will continue to be an indispensable partner in global trade and a key location for the implementation of the energy transition. Rostock and the people in our country will benefit from this.”

“Our heart beats in the port,” emphasized Rostock’s Mayor Eva-Maria Kröger. “The port has always played an important role. The decision to build it entirely new and outside the historical city limits was visionary, and we still benefit from it today. Without this decision to build, Rostock would not be Germany’s number one Baltic Sea port today. The future port will continue to radiate impulses throughout the entire region in the coming years!”

Handling for Almost All Goods

“Through our specialized terminals, we are well-positioned in the port and handle almost all goods that pass over the quays. This ranges from grain and fertilizer to oil, lime, ores, construction materials, and project cargo such as components for large wind turbines, as well as RoRo goods like paper and much more,” said Karsten Lentz from EUROPORTS. “We are investing here in Rostock because we believe in the location – long-term. We are one of the most important employers here at the site and for the region. Therefore, investing in the training and safety of our employees is of central importance.”

ROSTOCK PORT Managing Director Jens A. Scharner looked ahead: “In the overseas port, Rostock can continue to shape the future. In addition to the diverse, established handling business, we are now jointly developing the site into a hub for the import of green energy carriers and the production of green hydrogen – thus making an important contribution to sustainable energy supply in eastern Germany. To continue acting as an important driver of innovation and growth, it is essential to recognize opportunities together with committed employees, forward-looking companies, and continuous support from the political sphere and to successfully utilize them for the site and the region.”

700 Million Euros Since 1990

On April 30, 1960, the newly built port on the River Unterwarnow and the Breitling was ceremoniously opened with the arrival of the 10,000-ton freighter MS Schwerin at berth 31 in the harbor basin B. More than 20,000 Rostock residents, port builders, political dignitaries, and guests from other Baltic Sea ports flocked to the new gateway to the world 65 years ago in bright sunshine to attend the festive event.

Since 1990, approximately 700 million euros have been invested in the infrastructure of the overseas port, of which the port operator generated more than half.

Photos: © Rostock Port / Caption for the title photo (from left to right): Dr. Gernot Tesch (Managing Director Rostock Port), Karsten Lenz (Managing Director Euroports Germany), Eva-Maria Kröger (Mayor of Rostock), Dr. Wolfgang Blank, Dr. Jens A. Scharner (Managing Director Rostock Port)