Deutsches Offshore-Industrie-Zentrum in Cuxhaven has assumed a prominent role in wind power expansion in the North Sea and the associated energy transition. Construction of the new berths 5 to 7, in particular, plays a key role and is due to be completed by 2028.
The maintenance and dismantling of existing wind turbines currently play another important role for the multipurpose port – and will continue to do so in the future. But even facility parts for onshore wind turbines, which are also relevant for a successful energy transformation, are transshipped here.
Construction will kick off on three new berths measuring 1,250 metres in length and offering 36 hectares of contiguous terminal space in February 2025. The result will be a gap closure between the Europakai (berths 1 to 4) and the existing offshore berths 8 and 9 in the form of a continuous quay with a water depth of up to 15.5 metres at main sea level.
To fulfil the requirements of an offshore installation port, the berths are also being reinforced to accommodate the docking of installation vessels, so-called jack-up rigs, which have movable legs that allow them to stand on the sea floor and thus accommodate the loading of ultra-heavy components. The new areas are also heavy-load-approved.
Cuxport Managing Director, Claudius Schumacher, is more than satisfied with these options. From nacelles and large, heavy monopiles up to 3,500 tonnes in weight to rotor blades, anything can be stored and transshipped here.
In September 2024, the European Commission ultimately approved partial public financing for berths 5 to 7, with construction costs expected to be around 300 million euros. Due to the importance of the project for the national and European expansion objectives for onshore and offshore wind power, the federal and state governments will provide funding of up to 200 million euros from the Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures (GRW). As licence holders, Cuxport, which is in charge of the berths and terminal sections 5 and 6.1, with around 19 hectares, and Blue Water BREB, responsible for sections 6.2 and 7, also with 19 hectares, will be covering the remaining construction costs of 100 million euros.
Financing is not a good model for the future
“This type of financing is an absolute novelty and works for this project, but – in my opinion – is not a good model for the future,” emphasises Schumacher. According to the requirements of the Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS), it is essential to increase the port burden compensation from its current 38.4 million to 500 million euros per year and thus advance expansion in line with the national port strategy.
This is particularly important because future tender procedures will add to the ones already completed for new offshore wind farms. The associated role of installation port will also be accompanied by that of service port, with a range of services available for ships such as crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and service operation vessels (SOVs).
“80 per cent of the imported onshore components is already transshipped in Cuxhaven,” reports Schumacher. In other words: “There wouldn’t be an energy transition without Cuxhaven,” emphasises Roland Schneider, Business Development Manager at Cuxport. Schumacher goes on to say, “The port location will play another strategic role when it comes to dismantling existing offshore facilities in the 2030s as well as potential repowering.”
Important investment decisions taken
The investment decisions of Siemens Gamesa and Titan Wind Energy also demonstrate the high level of interest in the market. Siemens Gamesa plans to invest up to 135 million euros to equip the site for the launch of the latest generation of offshore wind turbines with an output of 14 megawatts. In addition, a grant of up to 27 million euros, also financed through GRW funds, will support these strategically important investments.
The Chinese Titan Group plans to build a monopile factory in Cuxhaven, investing up to 300 million euros. Construction of the foundation with a diameter of up to 14 metres, a length of 140 metres and a weight of 3,500 tonnes is scheduled to kick off this year, creating more than 600 new jobs in Cuxhaven alone.
The first pile will be driven in on 6 February this year, and the completed berths should be handed over to the operator in early 2028. “The announcement of the start of construction has been very well received in the market,” says Schneider, delighted. “We’re already holding initial discussions,” adds Ulf Stier, Commercial Manager at Blue Water BREB. Cuxport Managing Director, Schumacher, expects the berths to be up and running and established in the market no later than 2028, at which point transshipment of components can be begin.
Like the German wind power industry, the Cuxhaven port location is therefore extremely optimistic about the future. However, there is one condition: “In order to be able to operate as an installation port for the German expansion objectives over the long term, we hope politicians, including those of the new German government, will provide us with reliable conditions,” emphasises Schumacher.(cb)
Facts
Deutsches Offshore-Industrie-Zentrum Cuxhaven (DOIZ)
Quay length: including the new berths:
3,150 metres
Total space: including the new berths: nearly 60 hectares
Terminal operators: Rhenus Cuxport and Blue Water BREB
