Great response on subject of heavy lift shipping at river Elbe.

Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH together with Hafen Hamburg Marketing e.V. organized a workshop at Alberthafen Dresden. Experts from industry and shipping companies followed the invitation to describe possible ways of transportation at inland waterways.



Representative from federal section of heavy transports and crane services declared inland shipping as a basic necessity. Shipping at inland waterways is therefore not a contrary option to road traffic but more a mandatory addition to the supply chain. For this purpose ports and temporary handling points have to be accessible through road approach. Experiences from loading industry were shown and demonstrated impressive how they arrange this part of their logistic process.



Invited guests could be assured that river Elbe is not only capable as heavy lift shipping way but is also numerous and successful used. Ship-owners, forwarders and carriers visualized best-practice-solutions and referred to existing transport chains on which heavy cargo is loaded to barge regularly. From view point of shippers varying water levels are crucial to voyage planning especially at river Elbe. More information about water level and fairway depth can be retrieved at elbrpo.com. In spite of unsteady water levels and periods of low water inland transports at river Elbe are almost feasible throughout the year. Different special types of vessels with lower loading draft are already in service in this region. An overview of those types is also given at elbpro.com.